Jlt Sabbath School Lessons/January, reDruary, ivicArcr

11/74

Thirteenth Sabbath Overflow Offering

March 30, 1974—Afro-Mideast Division

It is not difficult to write to the members of our worldwide Sabbath

School family. We know each other pretty well. We support each other

and encourage each other to the best of our ability. When the Afro-

Mideast Division therefore comes to you this quarter with earnest re-

quests for financial help, we are confident that you will help us.

We have chosen three projects that will benefit from your gifts at the

end of this quarter. Not that we could not have come up with more

projects, for we could; but rather we thought that we should concentrate

on these three, which are:

A mission station in West Ethiopia.

The plan is that this particular

station should be placed close to the border with Sudan. This is the

part of old Ethiopia where so many thousands of souls have been won

for God's kingdom recently. This is where the field president baptized

more than 1,500 souls last year, largely won by our faithful laymembers.

A seminary for Tanzania.

We urgently need an evangelistic train-

ing center in Tanzania. A beautiful location has already been secured

for this purpose. It lies in the highland some 15 miles from the town of

Arusha. When this property became available, our local administration

took advantage of it in anticipation of what the special Thirteenth Sab-

bath Overflow Offering will bring in. The funds will transform the prop-

erty into a Seminary.

A health center in Manama, Bahrain.

This, we believe, will be ac-

cording to the "blueprint." Already much planning and preparation has

gone into this project. The Middle East Union is looking with great ex-

pectation to the day when this project will be realized and another door

entered.

So on behalf of the many thousands of us out here, I say: Thank you

for your constant liberality. Thank you for easing our burdens by giving

a really good Thirteenth Sabbath Offering.

M. E. Lind

President

Afro-Mideast Division

Lessons for the Second Quarter of 1974

The title of the series is "News From Jesus"—a study on the book of

Revelation.

First lesson, "The Author Identified." Memory verse, Revelation 1:17.

Outline as follows: (1) Source of the Book. Rev. 1:1-3. (2) The Saluta-

tion. Rev. 1:4-5, first part. (3) The Doxology. Rev. 1:5, last part-7. (4)

Identifications. Rev. 1:8-11. (5) The Divine Exalted Jesus. Rev. 1:12-16.

(6) The Living Jesus. Rev. 1:17-20.

Second lesson, "Letters From Jesus I." Memory verse, Rev. 2:7. Out-

line as follows: (1) Ephesus I. Rev. 2:1-3. (2) Ephesus II. Rev. 2:4. (3)

Ephesus III. Rev. 2:5, 6. (4) Ephesus IV. Rev. 2:7. (5) Smyrna I. Rev.

2:8-10. (6) Smyrna II. Rev. 2:11.

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

General Introduction

An outstanding characteristic of today's society is lawlessness, and a common

teaching by Christian churches is that the law of God is no longer binding on men.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the way of life as God has revealed it is faith

in Jesus leading to obedience to the commandments. It is the keeping of the

"commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" that John the Revelator saw would

characterize the saints in the last days. This message is particularly pertinent in

today's world. It is precisely the remedy for the ills of our world and of the church

that arise out of a negative attitude toward law.

The title of this quarter's lessons, "Christ our Righteousness," reflects this

double, but inseparable, concern. It is a study of Christ who points us to the law,

which is the definition of righteousness, and of the law that points us to Christ who

is the only means by which the sinner can be in harmony with the law.

There is the constant risk that the proper relation between Christ and law shall

not be recognized in a study of salvation by faith. It is this perspective of Christ in

the law that is a root concept of the message we are proclaiming to the world. To

remove, or tone down, the claims of the law will result in a sentimental religion,

claiming Jesus as Lord, but failing to do His will. To remove, or tone down, the

truth of salvation by faith in Jesus will result in a legalistic religion in which the

believer is in the hopeless situation of seeking salvation by his own deeds.

Ellen G. White has stated the true relation between Jesus and the law as follows:

"Christ bore the curse of the law, suffering its penalty, carrying to completion

the plan whereby man was to be placed where he could keep God's law, and

be accepted through the merits of the Redeemer; and by His sacrifice glory was

shed upon the law....

"Christ is the sinner's advocate. Those who accept His gospel behold Him with

open face. They see the relation of His mission to the law, and they acknowledge

God's wisdom and glory as revealed by the Saviour. The glory of Christ is revealed

in the law, which is a transcript of His character, and His transforming efficacy is

felt upon the soul until men become changed to His likeness. They are made

partakers of the divine nature, and grow more and more like their Saviour, advanc-

ing step by step in conformity to the will of God, till they reach perfection.

"The law and the gospel are in perfect harmony. Each upholds the other. In

all its majesty the law confronts the conscience, causing the sinner to feel his

need of Christ as the propitiation for sin. The gospel recognizes the power and

immutability of the law. 'I had not known sin, but by the law,' Paul declares (Rom.

7:7). The sense of sin, urged home by the law, drives the sinner to the Saviour.

, In his need man may present the mighty arguments furnished by the cross of

Calvary. He may claim the righteousness of Christ; for it is imparted to every

'repentant

sinner."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 240, 241.

During this quarter we invite your careful study of Jesus and the law of God.

1-AQT 1-74

The Blessing of Daily Study

"Every day some portion of time should be appropri-

ated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to

mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not

comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very founda-

tion, and become familiar with what is brought out in the

lesson."—"Counsels on Sabbath School Work," page 53.

My Pledge

As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge

of the Scriptures, I pledge myself to the careful and

prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath School

lesson each day of the week.

(signed)

The regular adult Sabbath School lessons and regular Sab-

bath School World Mission Report are available free each month

in Braille and 16

rpm records to blind and physically handi-

capped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes

individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paraly-

sis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on

normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record

Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

Lesson Titles for the Quarter

Righteousness

The Call to Righteousness

The Righteous Jesus

The Purpose of the Cross

Accepting God's Provision

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

Cooperation With God

Faith and Salvation

10.

Christ's Righteousness in Symbols

11.

Christ's Righteousness in Parables

12.

The Third Angel's Message

13.

The Final Conflict

Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly (regular edition), No. 315, January-March, 1974. 35 cents a

single copy, $1.40 a year (four issues); no additional charge to countries requiring extra

postage. Published in the U.S.A., by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of

S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges au-

thorized at Mountain View, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is

desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.

Cover photo by Henry Rasmussen

1—AQT 1-74

LESSON 1

December

to January 5

Righteousness

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,

who of God is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness, and sanctification,

and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30.

During this quarter the word "righ-

teousness" will be very prominent. It is

the purpose of this lesson to clarify the

meaning of righteousness as the term

is used in the Bible. In order to do this,

an overview of righteousness is given

first. Therefore, this week we touch on

some elements of this subject that will

be expanded later in the quarter.

Both the Hebrew and the Greek words

"The Great Standard of Righ-

teousness," an article written by

Ellen G. White, is printed at the

end of this lesson for supplemen-

tary reading. It was originally

printed in the

Review and Herald.

translated as "righteousness" in the

King James Version of the Bible have

a background of usage that is not lim-

ited to religion. A general definition that

covers both Hebrew and Greek mean-

ings, and leaves out many connotations,

is "the state of being in the right." Two

synonyms for righteousness are "recti-

tude" and "uprightness."

LESSON OUTLINE

Meaning of Righteousness

Gen. 7:1

Description of Righteousness

Ps. 119:172

Source of Righteousness

1 John 4:8

Jesus and Righteousness

John 14:9

Relationship With God

Isa. 59:2

Corrected Conduct

Rom. 6:13

"The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of

heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can

become righteous only as they have faith in God and

maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness

will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the

external forms of religion accord with the Christian's internal

purity. Then the ceremonies required in the service of God

are not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical

Pharisees."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 310.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Sunday

December 30

Part 1

MEANING OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Gen. 7:1

The first use of one of the forms of the Hebrew word in the

Old Testament which is translated as "righteous" or "righ-

teousness" is in Gen. 7:1.

"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy

house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me

in this generation."

Noah is here called "righteous" and all the rest of the world

were living in wickedness. (Gen. 6:5, 8.) Throughout the Bible

the words "wickedness" and "righteousness" are used for

opposite meanings.

What does John point to as the evidence of a righteous

person? 1 John 3:7.

While the context of a word must determine its particular

shade of meaning, a word has a basic meaning that can be

stated objectively, as in a dictionary. The idea of "righteous-

ness" is right conduct with reference to a norm, and "wicked-

ness" is wrong conduct in relation to the same norm.

"Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that

all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do.

The works show whether the faith is genuine."—Christ's

Ob-

ject Lessons,

page 312.

Note the use of the words "righteous" and "wicked" in

Ezekiel 33:18, 19.

THINK IT THROUGH



How can I

see

my conduct as God sees it?

FURTHER STUDY

"The reason why God's people are not more spiritually

minded and have not more faith, I have been shown, is be-

cause they are narrowed up with selfishness. . . . It is not the

abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the

numerous prayers, but the right-doing, doing the right thing

and at the right time. It is to be less self-caring and more

benevolent. Our souls must expand. Then God will make them

like a watered garden, whose waters fail

not."—Testimonies,

Vol. 2, p. 36.

"Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and 'God is

love.' 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for 'all

Thy commandments are righteousness' (Psalm 119:172), and

'love is the fulfilling of the law' (Romans 13:10). Righteousness

is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteous-

ness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness

by receiving

Him."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

page 18.

Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 91-95.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Monday

December 31

Part 2

DESCRIPTION OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Ps. 119:112

THINK IT THROUGH

What, according to the psalmist, constitutes, righteousness?

"My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy command-

ments are righteousness."

"Righteousness is defined by the standard of God's holy

law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai."—Steps

to Christ,

page 61.

"God has a law, and it is the great standard of righteous-

ness. Everyone who has presumed upon the mercy of God,

and practiced iniquity, will be judged according to his works."

—Testimonies to Ministers,

page 448.

Thus the norm for the right conduct of the believer is the

law of God. This righteousness is not based on what appears

to man to be right-doing, but on the revelation of a universal

principle expressed in the Ten Commandments.

What principle, as Jesus pointed out, underlies the law?

Mark 12:30, 31.

It is the same to speak of loving conduct as to speak of

right conduct, but love as defined by God's law.

"We are not to be dwarfed in any kind of service for God.

Whatever He has lent us is to be used intelligently for Him.

The man who exercises his faculties will surely strengthen

them; but he must seek to do his best. There is need of intelli-

gence and educated ability to devise the best methods in

farming, in building, and in every other department, that the

worker may not labor in vain....

"It is the duty of every worker not merely to give his strength

but his mind and intellect to that which he undertakes to do."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5,

p. 1112.

What is the result of comparing my conduct with the spir-

itual meaning of the law?

"God requires at this time just what He required of the holy

pair in Eden, perfect obedience to His requirements. His law

remains the same in all ages. The great standard of righteous-

ness presented in the Old Testament is not lowered in the

New. It is not the work of the gospel to weaken the claims of

God's holy law, but to bring men up where they can keep its

precepts."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6,

1073.

FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

on Matt. 5:22, pages

55-58.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Tuesday

January 1

Part 3

SOURCE OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS

1 John 4:8

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

"God is love.

The Greek construction does not make 'God'

and 'love' identical as the English translation may appear to

do. Rather love is set forth as an essential quality or attribute

of God. The decisive proof that a man that 'loveth not' lacks a

knowledge of God is contained in the phrase 'God is love.' He

who does not love proves that he is not personally acquainted

with the basic quality in God's nature. In his simple but sub-

lime statement John reaches the zenith of Christian belief."

—SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 664.

Yesterday we noted that the law is based on love. Add to

that the fact that God is love and it becomes clear that in God's

law there was put into words the principle of God's character.

The law reflects to man what God is like, and as man keeps

God's law by His grace, he becomes Godlike.

"God's law is the transcript of His character. It embodies

the principles of His kingdom. He who refuses to accept these

principles is placing himself outside the channel where God's

blessings

flow."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 305.

The purpose of the law is not that it be a thing in itself, but

rather that the believer accept it as the voice of God, as it was

really given on Sinai, the expression of God's personal will

for all mankind.

"The law is to be presented to its transgressors, not as

something apart from God, but rather as an exponent of His

mind and character. As the sunlight cannot be separated from

the sun, so God's law cannot be rightly presented to man apart

from the divine Author."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 371.

Man cannot understand the law if he looks at it as a code

standing alone.

"Those who study this lesson [of the good Samaritan] aright

will see that in order to keep the law it is necessary to have

a knowledge of God; for the law is a transcript of his charac-

ter, and his character is love."—Ellen G. White,

Review and

Herald,

Sept. 13, 1906.

The true revelation of righteousness comes through the

combination of the law and the knowledge of God. Tomorrow

we will note that the knowledge of God comes through Jesus.

How can I know what is right conduct and do it?

"Christ bore the curse of the law, suffering its penalty,

carrying to completion the plan whereby man was to be placed

where he could keep God's law, and be accepted through the

merits of the Redeemer; and by His sacrifice glory was shed

upon the

law."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 240.

Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 216-220.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Wednesday

January

Part 4

JESUS AND

RIGHTEOUSNESS

John 14:9

THINK IT THROUGH

What revelation was made by the life of Jesus?

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you,

and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen

me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us

the Father?"

"Christ alone was able to represent the Deity. He who had

been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who

was the express image of the invisible God, was alone suffi-

cient to accomplish this work. No verbal description could

reveal God to the world. Through a life of purity, a life of

perfect trust and submission to the will of God, a life of humilia-

tion such as even the highest seraph in heaven would have

shrunk from, God Himself must be revealed to humanity. In

order to do this, our Saviour clothed His divinity with humanity.

He employed the human faculties, for only by adopting these

could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could

reach humanity. He lived out the character of God through the

human body which God had prepared for Him. He blessed the

world by living out in human flesh the life of God, thus showing

that He had the power to unite humanity to divinity."—Ellen

G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 924.

Both the law and Jesus reveal the righteousness that God

designed that man should possess, and both are based on how

God Himself relates to the universe. These two revelations of

righteousness belong together and must never be separated.

"The law and the gospel are so blended that the truth cannot

be presented as it is in Jesus, without blending these subjects

in perfect agreement. The law is the gospel of Christ veiled;

the gospel of Jesus is nothing more or less than the law de-

fined, showing its far-reaching principles."—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

May 27, 1890.

The written law provided the divine objective standard by

which Jesus lived. If no law preceded Him, how could it be

seen by men that He was righteous? The life of Jesus pro-

vided the human life in which the law was perfectly displayed.

If He had not lived the law how would it be fully known what

is the content of a righteous human life?

How can I blend Jesus and the law together in my daily

life?

In 1890 Ellen G. White wrote: "As a people, we have

preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that

had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law,

and ... trust not in our own merits at all."—Ellen G. White,

Re-

view and Herald,

March 11, 1890.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 467-469.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Thursday

January



Part 5



What does Isaiah state to have been the result of Judah's

RELATIONSHIP

sins?



WITH GOD



"But your iniquities have separated between you and your

Isa. 59:2

God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will

not hear."

Sin, disobedience of the law, separates man from God. Man

before sin had an unbroken relationship with God. Every sin

is not only a breaking of the law, but also an act of disloyalty

to God. (See

Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 218.) Wrong conduct,

judged by the law, not only makes one an unrighteous person

for the record, both in heaven's books and in his own body, but

it also changes the relationship between man and God. A

sinner alone cannot mend his conduct sufficiently to be

the

kind

of person he would have been if he had not sinned, so man

cannot come to God on the basis of his corrected conduct. But

God through the cross has arranged that the relationship that

He originally planned to have with each person can be estab-

lished when the sinner has faith in Jesus whose life presents

the ideal conduct. This faith in Jesus and His ideal conduct is

accepted by God in the place of the faulty conduct of the sinner,

and a basis is thus provided for the new relationship between

God and the sinner. This ideal conduct of Jesus is Christ's

righteousness and the establishment of the relationship is

justification.

"We have transgressed the law of God, and by the deeds of

the law shall no flesh be justified. The best efforts that man in

his own strength can make, are valueless to meet the holy and

just law that he has transgressed; but through faith in Christ

he may claim the righteousness of the Son of God as all-suffi-

cient. Christ satisfied the demands of the law in His human

nature. He bore the curse of the law for the sinner, made an

atonement for him, that whosoever believeth in Him should not

perish, but have everlasting life. Genuine faith appropriates the

righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer

with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and

thus divinity and humanity are

combined."—Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 1, pp. 363, 364.



THINK IT THROUGH



What prompts my good conduct—the desire to be well

thought of, or the desire to honor God and be loyal to Him?

"God's dear Son died that He might impute unto man His

own righteousness, and not that he might be at liberty to break

God's holy law, as Satan tries to make men believe. Through

faith in Christ, man may be in possession of moral power to

resist

evil."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 317.



FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 308, 310.

Righteousness

LESSON 1



❑

Friday

January 4



Part 6



What is Paul's command to the person who has been justi-

CORRECTED

fled?



CONDUCT



"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrigh-

Rom. 6:13 teousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those

that are alive from the dead, and your members as instru-

ments of righteousness unto God."

The new relationship with God puts man in a position to

receive from God, by the Spirit, power to correct his conduct.

It is sin that breaks the ideal relationship between God and

man; thus in order to perpetuate the new relationship, the be-

liever must renounce sinful conduct and accept as his own

ideal the perfect conduct of Jesus. As he seeks to copy the

conduct of Jesus, his own conduct is corrected, step by step.

This correction of conduct is sanctification. The faith in Jesus

by which the new relationship with God was formed serves also

as the means of conduct correction. When distinctions are

made between justification and sanctification it is not possible

to say that the believer is saved by one and not by the other,

for the relationship and the conduct are two parts of that which

is the ground of our salvation—the righteousness of Jesus

Christ. For salvation the relationship and the correction of

conduct must move on together—the corrected conduct per-

petuating the relationship, and the relationship covering the

imperfections of the conduct that exist in spite of one's best

efforts. The real key here is that the believer be relating to

God in loyalty and good faith, putting forth his best efforts to

correct his conduct, and not using the relationship with God

to cover up unrepentance.

"Christ looks at the spirit, and when He sees us carrying

our burden with faith, His perfect holiness atones for our short-

comings. When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness.

It takes every ray of light that God sends to us to make us the

light of the

world."—Selected

Messages, Bk. 1, p. 368.



THINK IT THROUGH



How does the righteousness of Jesus become my righteous-

ness?

"When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put

forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as

man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with

His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim

to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's com-

mandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to

hear a great deal more about

works."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 382.



FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 317, 318.

THE GREAT STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Ellen G.

White

Christ gave His life to redeem human-

ity, and He calls upon men and women

to make every sacrifice in their power

to glorify God by placing light in con-

trast with darkness. Christ gave His life

as a sacrifice, not to destroy God's law,

not to create a lower standard, but to

maintain justice, and to give man a sec-

ond probation. No one can keep God's

commandments except in Christ's power.

He bore in His body the sins of all man-

kind, and He imputes His righteousness

to every believing child.

Christ is our example in all things. He

has magnified the law and made it hon-

orable. By His unwavering obedience He

testified to the truth that God's law is

the standard of righteousness for all

men. God requires of man nothing that

is impossible for him to do. He "so

loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth

in Him should not perish, but have ever-

lasting life." Possessing our nature,

though unstained by sin, and tempted

in all points like as we are, Christ kept

the law, proving beyond controversy that

man also can keep it.

The fiat has gone forth, "The wages

of sin is death." The sinner must feel his

guiltiness, else he will never repent. He

has broken the law, and in so doing has

placed himself under its condemnation.

The law has no power to pardon the

transgressor, but it points him to Christ

Jesus, who says to him, I will take your

sin and bear it myself, if you will accept

me as your substitute and surety. Re-

turn to your allegiance, and I will im-

pute to you my righteousness. You will

be made complete in me.

Sin is the transgression of the law.

God declares, "Ye shall know them by

their fruits. Do men gather grapes of

thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every

good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but

a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."

Notwithstanding all the profession of

lip and voice, if the character is not in

harmony with the law of God, those

making profession of godliness bear evil

fruit.

"Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom

of heaven; but he that doeth the will of

my Father which is in heaven,"—the will

made known in the Ten Commandments,

given in Eden when the morning stars

sang together, and all the sons of God

shouted for joy, and spoken with an au-

dible voice from Sinai. "Many will say to

me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not

prophesied in thy name? and in thy

name have cast out devils? and in thy

name done many wonderful works? And

then will I profess unto them, I never

knew you: depart from me, ye that work

iniquity." Many mighty works are done

under the inspiration of Satan, and these

works will be more and more apparent

in the last days.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these

sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will

liken him unto a wise man, which built

his house upon a rock; and the rain

descended, and the floods came, and

the winds blew, and beat upon that

house; and it fell not: for it was founded

upon a rock. And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine, and doeth them

not, shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

and the rain descended, and the floods

came, and the winds blew, and beat

upon that house; and it fell: and great

was the fall of it."

The mischief done by the professed

believers in God who are not doers of

the Word, can not be estimated. Their

lawless, unholy principles corrupt many,

leading them away from the path of

obedience.

A life of conformity to the Christ-life

can not be a life of disobedience to

God's commands. The lawyer who ques-

tioned Christ concerning the law, in an-

swering his own question, said, "Thou

shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, and with all thy soul, and with all

thy strength, and with all thy mind; and

thy neighbor as thyself." "Thou hast

answered right," Christ said; "this do,

and thou shalt live." Sin can not reign

in the life of the one who loves God

supremely. Obedience to God is the

fruit borne by love. Christ is not at war

with Christ, and love to our neighbor

prevents us from working ill to him.

"The fruit of righteousness is sown in

peace of them that make peace." The

law of God lays its claim upon the

whole man. There' is no period of time

when the law does not make this de-

mand upon every son and daughter of

Adam.

Complete obedience is the only con-

dition that meets the requirement of the

law. "God is not a man, that He should

lie." God's law is the rule of His gov-

ernment. He says, "This do, and thou

shalt live." But to the disobedient He

says, "Cursed is every one that con-

tinueth not in all things written in the

book of the law to do them." "The soul

that sinneth, it shall die." God has given

the promise that those who obey His

law will be rewarded, not only in the

present life, but in the life to come. He

declares just as decidedly that those

who do not obey His requirements shall

not see life, but the wrath of God abideth

on them. By lips that never lie the obe-

dient are blessed, and the disobedient

are pronounced guilty.

There are only two classes in the

world to-day, and only two classes will

be recognized in the Judgment, —those

who violate God's law, and those who

keep His law. Two great opposing pow-

ers are revealed in the last great battle.

On one side stands the Creator of

heaven and earth. All on His side bear

His signet. They are obedient to His

commands. On the other side stands

the Prince of darkness, with those who

have chosen apostasy and rebellion.

When the judgment shall sit, and

every one shall be judged by the things

written in the books, the authority of

God's law will be looked upon in a light

altogether different from that in which

it is now regarded by the Christian

world. Satan has blinded their eyes and

confused their understanding, as he

blinded and confused Adam and Eve,

and led them into transgression. The

law of Jehovah is great, even as its

Author is great. In the Judgment it will

be recognized as holy, just, and good

in all its requirements. Those who trans-

gress this law will find that they have

a serious account to settle with God;

for His claims are decisive.

Christ has borne our sins in His own

body, and those who accept Him as a

personal Saviour are free from the pen-

alty of the law. Jesus has been made

the propitiation for our sin, and not for

ours only, but also for the sins of the

whole world. "Hereby we do know that

we know Him, if we keep His command-

ments. He that saith, I know Him, and

keepeth not His commandments, is a

liar, and the truth is not in him. But

whoso keepeth His word, in him verily

is the love of God perfected. Hereby

know we that we are in Him. He that

saith he abideth in Him, ought himself

also so to walk, even as He walked."

To the obedient child of God the com-

mandments are a delight. David de-

clares," Thy testimonies have I taken

as an heritage forever: for they are the

rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my

heart to perform thy statutes alway, even

unto the end. I hate vain thoughts: but

thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding

place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Depart from me, ye evil-doers: for I will

keep the commandments of my God....

I am thy servant; give me understanding,

that I may know thy testimonies."

Did the contempt shown to the law

of God extinguish David's loyalty? Hear

his words. He calls upon God to inter-

fere and vindicate His honor, to show

that there is a God, that there are limits

to His forbearance. "It is time for thee,

Lord, to work," he says," for they have

made void thy law."

David saw the divine precepts thrown

aside, and obstinacy and rebellion in-

creasing. But he was not swept away by

the prevalence of apostasy. The scorn

and contempt cast upon the law did not

lead him to refrain from vindicating the

law. On the contrary, his reverence for

the law of Jehovah increased as he saw

the disregard and contempt shown for

it by others. "They have made void thy

law," he exclaims. "Therefore I love thy

commandments above gold; yea, above

fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy pre-

cepts concerning all things to be right;

and I hate every false way."

As man studies and contemplates the

precious statutes of the Most High, as

he meditates upon them, and realizes

their value, he exclaims: "Thy testi-

monies are wonderful: therefore doth

my soul keep them. The entrance of thy

words giveth light; it giveth understand-

ing unto the simple. . . . Great peace

have they which love thy law: and noth-

ing shall offend them."—Review

and

Herald, May

7, 1901.

The Call to Righteousness

"Surely, shall one say, in the Lord

have I righteousness and strength: even

to him shall men come." Isa. 45:24.

Inasmuch as only God can heal the

broken relationship of man with Him,

it is to God that man must go for righ-

teousness. He is invited to seek for it

and is called blessed if he hungers and

thirsts for it. In these invitations there

LESSON OUTLINE

Man's Inadequacy

Dan. 9:7-10

First Things First

Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 6:11

Blessed Are They

Matt. 5:6

Our Righteousness Is of God

Isa. 54:17

Christ, Our Righteousness

Jer. 23:5, 6

Accepting the Invitation

Ps. 5:8; 23:3; 4:1

is a promise that to the earnest seeker

there will come a satisfying of the long-

ing of his heart.

Christ is THE LORD OUR RIGH-

TEOUSNESS. To him man is to look for

"righteousness and strength." As he

looks to the one and only Saviour he

must look away from himself and his

own inadequacy to heal the relation-

ship with God by his own means and

works. As he looks to Jesus a trans-

formation will be begun. If he continues

to look to Jesus this transformation will

not cease until he is completely re-

newed in the image of God.

"Christ Our Hope," an article

written by Ellen G. White, is

printed at the end of this lesson

for supplementary reading. It was

originally printed in the

Review

and Herald.

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Sunday

January 6

Part 1

MAN'S

INADEQUACY

Dan. 9:1-10

"0 Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee. . . . To us

belongeth confusion of faces, . . . because we have sinned

against thee. . . . Neither have we obeyed the voice of the

Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by

his servants the prophets."

The prayer of Daniel is a confession of the gins of Israel

that had caused their captivity. The prophet

recalls

that God's

acts have been righteous, but he finds no cause for merit or

special consideration for his people. On the one side stands

God's righteousness; on the other, Israel's prolonged record

of sin. Daniel intercedes, saying, "For we do not present our

supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy

great mercies." Dan. 9:18. This experience illustrates the re-

lation of the whole human family with God.

To what did an earlier prophet compare the righteousness

of Judah? Isa. 64:6.

How many have failed to maintain God's standard of

righteousness? Rom. 3:10-12.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is my spiritual condition apart from Christ? See

John 15:5.

"Writing to the Philippians, he [Paul] describes his experi-

ence before and after his conversion. 'If any other man thinketh

that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh,' he says, 'I

more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of

the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching

the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church;

touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.'

Phil. 3:4-6.

"After his conversion his testimony was: 'Yea verily, and I

count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all

things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of mine own,

even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith

in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.' Phil.

3:8, 9, ARV.

"The righteousness that heretofore he had thought of so

much worth was now worthless in his sight."—The

Story of

Redemption,

page 311.



FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 340-341.

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Monday

January 7

Part 2

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Matt. 6:33

1 Tim. 6:11

THINK IT THROUGH

What is to be given priority in the life of the follower of

Jesus?

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteous-

ness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

"But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow

after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meek-

ness."

We are to give first place to seeking "the kingdom of God

and His righteousness" and do it with all our hearts. Jer.

29:12, 13. It is easy to become absorbed in the cares of life

and in the acquisition of material things. We must remember

"that man doth not live by bread only." Deut. 8:3.

"I [Jesus] have come to open to you the kingdom of love

and righteousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this

kingdom, and make its service your highest interest. Though

it is a spiritual kingdom, fear not that your needs for this life

will be uncared-for. If you give yourself to God's service, He

who has all power in heaven and earth will provide for your

needs."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

page 99.

How abundantly did God promise to provide the blessing

of righteousness to Israel if they would seek Him? Hosea

10:12.

What is the Lord's attitude toward those who seek righ-

teousness? Prov. 15:9.

What proportion of my time and energy do I give to ma-

terial gain, and how much attention do I give to my relation-

ship with God?

"All who choose Christ's kingdom of love and righteousness

and peace, making its interest paramount to all other, are

linked to the world above, and every blessing needed for this

life is theirs. In the book of God's providence, the volume of

life, we are each given a page. That page contains every par-

ticular of our history; even the hairs of the head are num-

bered. God's children are never absent from His mind."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 313.

FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

on Matt. 6:33, pages

98-100.

2-AQT 1-74

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Tuesday

January

Part 3

BLESSED ARE THEY

Matt. 5:6

What is the prerequisite to being filled with righteousness?

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righ-

teousness: for they shall be filled."

Just

as hunger and thirst arise out of the physical needs

of the human beings, so the hunger and thirst after righteous-

ness arise out of spiritual needs. But contrary to the case of

man's physical hunger, man does not himself produce a spir-

itual hunger. It is the Holy Spirit that produces the hunger as

well as satisfies it.

"He who desires the truth in his heart, who longs for the

working of its power upon the life and character, will be sure

to have it. Says the Saviour, 'Blessed are they which do hun-

ger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.' "

—That I May Know Him,

page 10.

"If you have a sense of need in your soul, if you hunger

and thirst after righteousness, this is an evidence that Christ

has wrought upon your heart, in order that He may be sought

unto to do for you, through the endowment of the Holy Spirit,

those things which it is impossible for you to do for yourself.

We need not seek to quench our thirst at shallow streams; for

the great fountain is just above us, of whose abundant waters

we may freely drink, if we will rise a little higher in the path-

way of

faith."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

page 19.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is the meaning of hungering and thirsting after righ-

teousness?

"Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or

sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to

every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. 'Ho, every one

that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no

money; come ye, buy, and eat, .. . without money and without

price.' ...

"No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the

hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says, 'Behold,

stand

at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open

the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he

with Me.'



am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall

never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.'

Revelation 3:20; John

6:35."—Thoughts

From the Mount of

Blessing,

pages 18, 19.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

on Matt. 5:6, pages

pages 18-21.

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Wednesday

January

Part 4

OUR

RIGHTEOUSNESS

IS OF GOD

Isa. 54:11

THINK IT THROUGH

What promises are made to God's servants in the follow-

ing passage?

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and

every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou

shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the

Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."

"No Weapon . . .

God will care for His own and vindicate

them before their enemies. Neither evil men nor demons can

prevail against them (see Isa. 50:8, 9; Zech. 3:1, 2).

"Servants of the Lord.

That is, the people of Israel....

"Their righteousness.

More exactly, 'their vindication.' God

will vindicate the cause of His servants. When the enemy ac-

cuses them and fights against them He will pronounce them

innocent and deliver them."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4,

295.

"In his own strength man is strengthless; but in the might

of God he may be strong to overcome evil and to help others

to overcome. Satan can never gain advantage of him who

makes God his defense. 'Surely, shall one say, in the Lord

have I righteousness and strength.' Isaiah 45:24.

"Fellow Christian, Satan knows your weakness; therefore

cling to Jesus. Abiding in God's love, you may stand every

test. The righteousness of Christ alone can give you power to

stem the tide of evil that is sweeping over the world. Bring

faith into your experience. Faith lightens every burden, relieves

every weariness. Providences that are now mysterious you

may solve by continued trust in God. Walk by faith in the path

He marks out. Trials will come, but go forward. This will

strengthen your faith and fit you for service."—Prophets

and

Kings,

page 175.

What promises made to Israel may be claimed by us also?

Isa. 41:10.

Why must my righteousness come from God?

"As we discern the perfection of our Saviour's character we

shall desire to become wholly transformed and renewed in the

image of His purity. The more we know of God, the higher will

be our ideal of character and the more earnest our longing to

reflect His likeness. A divine element combines with the human

when the soul reaches out after

God."—Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing,

page 19.

FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pages 53-55.

2-AQT 1-74

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Thursday

January 10

Part 5

CHRIST, OUR

RIGHTEOUSNESS

ler. 23:5, 6

"Behold, the clays come, saith the Lord, that I will raise

unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and

prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell

safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE

LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

This passage was written by the prophet following his de-

nunciation of Jehoiakim and his son Coniah or Jehoiachin. It

was a time of instability in government, for in a period of about

three months there were three kings of Judah, and the im-

potence of these was demonstrated by Nebuchadnezzar's at-

tack on Jerusalem resulting in the death of Jehoiakim, the cap-

ture of Jehoiachin, and the enthronement by the Babylonians

of Zedekiah. The meaning of the latter's name was "the Lord

my righteousness," or "the Lord is righteous." Under these cir-

cumstances Jeremiah predicts the coming of the Messiah-King

whose name would be THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

(RSV). This name affirms that in Christ is the righteousness that

human beings need and can find in no other source.

Yes, the Lord is the source of righteousness, and this righ-

teousness is for us. But not all are willing to admit that they

stand in need of this righteousness.

What name was to be applied to Jerusalem when the

Branch had come? Jer. 33:15, 16.



THINK IT THROUGH



If I were to name my house according to the loyalty of

the members of the household, what could I call it? Would

it be appropriate to name it "The Lord Is Our Righteousness?"

"On the Saviour's coronation day He will not acknowledge

as His any who bear spot or wrinkle. But to His faithful ones

He will give crowns of immortal glory. Those who would not

that He should reign over them will see Him surrounded by the

army of the redeemed, each bearing the sign, THE LORD OUR

RIGHTEOUSNESS. They will see the head once crowned with

thorns crowned with a diadem of glory."—Ellen G. White Com-

ments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 1157.



FURTHER STUDY



Prophets and Kings,

pages 425-428.

The Call to Righteousness

LESSON 2



❑

Friday

January 11

Part 6

ACCEPTING THE

INVITATION

Ps. 5:8; 23:3; 4:1

THINK IT THROUGH

"Lead me, 0 Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine

enemies; make thy way straight before my face."

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righ-

teousness for his name's sake."

"Hear me when I call, 0 God of my righteousness."

In this and the former lesson a large number of passages

from the Old Testament have been brought in. We often hear

the testimony of the New Testament on the subject of "Christ,

Our Righteousness," and may forget that the Old Testament

contains many messages on this vital subject.

The 119th Psalm gives eloquent expression to the subject

of God's righteousness. Note the following:

"Righteous art thou, 0 Lord, and upright are thy judgments."

Verse 137.

"Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and

thy law is the truth." Verse 142.

"My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy command-

ments are righteousness." Verse 172.

In the same psalm the writer records his response to his

contemplation of God's righteousness:

"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in

thy righteousness." Verse 40.

"Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for there-

in do I delight." Verse 35.

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things

out of thy law." Verse 18.

Are there ways in which my attitudes do not harmonize

with the plea "Make me to go in the path of thy command-

ments"? Ps. 119:35. How can I make this request a reality?

"David, in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood, was

preparing to take a high position with the noblest of the earth.

His talents, as precious gifts from God, were employed to extol

the glory of the divine Giver. His opportunities of contempla-

tion and meditation served to enrich him with that wisdom and

piety that made him beloved of God and angels. As he con-

templated the perfections of his Creator, clearer conceptions

of God opened before his soul. Obscure themes were illumi-

nated, difficulties were made plain, perplexities were harmo-

nized, and each ray of new light called forth fresh bursts of

rapture, and sweeter anthems of devotion, to the glory of God

and the Redeemer."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 642.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 502-504.

CHRIST OUR HOPE

Ellen G. White

There is no excuse for any one in

taking the position that there is no more

truth to be revealed, and that all our

expositions of Scripture are without an

error. The fact that certain doctrines

have been held as truth for many years

by our people, is not a proof that our

ideas are infallible. Age will not make

error into truth, and truth can afford to

be fair. No true doctrine will lose any-

thing by close investigation. We are liv-

ing in perilous times, and it does not

become us to accept everything claimed

to be truth without examining it thor-

oughly; neither can we afford to reject

anything that bears the fruits of the

Spirit of God; but we should be teach-

able, meek and lowly of heart.

There are those who oppose every-

thing that is not in accordance with their

own ideas, and by so doing they en-

danger their eternal interest as verily as

did the Jewish nation in their rejection

of Christ. The Lord designs that our

opinions shall be put to the test, that

we may see the necessity of closely ex-

amining the living oracles to see whether

or not we are in the faith. Many who

claim to believe the truth have settled

down at their ease, saying, "I am rich,

and increased with goods, and have

need of nothing." But Jesus says to

these self-complacent ones, Thou "know-

est not that thou art wretched, and mis-

erable, and poor, and blind, and naked."

Let us individually inquire, Do these

words describe my case? If so, the True

Witness counsels us, saying, "Buy of

me gold tried in the fire, that thou may-

est be rich; and white raiment, that thou

mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy

nakedness do not appear; and anoint

thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou may-

est see."

From the description of the Laodi-

ceans, it is evident that many were

deceived in their estimate of their spir-

itual condition. They regarded them-

selves as rich, as possessing all the

knowledge and grace that was needed;

but yet they lacked the gold of faith and

love, the white raiment of Christ's righ-

teousness. They were destitute and pov-

erty-stricken, walking in sparks of their

own kindling, and preparing to lie down

in sorrow. Jesus says to them, "I have

somewhat against thee, because thou

hast left thy first love. Remember there-

fore from whence thou art fallen, and

repent, and do the first works [when the

glow of the love of God was upon you];

or else I will come unto thee quickly,

and will remove thy candlestick out of

his place, except thou repent." This

warning would not be given if there were

no danger of failure on the part of those

who profess to be the children of God.

In unmistakable language our position

is presented before us. Apart from Christ

we have no merit, no righteousness. Our

sinfulness, our weakness, our human

imperfections make it impossible that

we should appear before God, unless

we are clothed in Christ's spotless righ-

teousness. We are to be found in him,

not having our own righteousness, but

the righteousness which is through

Christ.

But there is hope for every one; for

"God so loved the world, that he gave

his only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in him should not perish, but

have everlasting life." If the love of God

is not appreciated, and does not be-

come an abiding principle in the hard

heart to soften and subdue the soul, we

are utterly lost. The Lord has no reserve

power with which to influence man. He

can give no greater manifestation of his

love than that which he has given.

Heaven's richest gift has been freely

offered for your acceptance. If the ex-

hibition of the love of Jesus does not

melt and subdue your heart, by what

means can you be reached? Has the

love of Christ failed to bring forth an

earnest response of love and gratitude?

Then let it not remain in this condition

of hardness another day. Open your

heart, and receive Christ, the best gift

of heaven. Let not cruel unbelief lead

you to refuse the heaven-sent gift. Let

not Christ say of you, "Ye will not come

unto me that ye might have life."

The heart of Christ is constantly

drawn out in sympathy toward fallen

man. While upon earth, his only mission

was to save sinners. He had a deep

abhorrence of sin, while exercising the

tenderest compassion toward the sin-

ner. He was grieved and wounded at

heart because men failed to value and

accept his love. The Majesty of heaven

veiled his divinity in humanity, and

passed from place to place through

towns and cities, teaching the truth and

working miracles, and though multitudes

flocked to hear him, few were in sym-

pathy with the lessons of truth he pre-

sented, which alone could save the soul.

How few have any conception of the

anguish which rent the heart of the Son

of God during his thirty years of life

upon earth. The path from the manger to

Calvary was shadowed by sorrow and

grief. He was the man of sorrows, and

and endured such heartache as no hu-

man language can portray. He could

have said in truth, "Behold and see if

there be any sorrow like unto my sor-

row." His suffering was the deepest an-

guish of the soul; and what man could

have sympathy with the soul anguish of

the Son of the infinite God? Hating sin

with a perfect hatred, he yet gathered

to his soul the sins of the whole world,

as he trod the path to Calvary, suffering

the penalty of the transgressor. Guilt-

less, he bore the punishment of the

guilty; innocent, yet offering himself to

bear the penalty of the transgression of

the law of God. The punishment of the

sins of every soul was borne by the

Son of the infinite God. The guilt of

every sin pressed its weight upon the

divine soul of the world's Redeemer.

who knew no sin became sin for

us, that we might be made the righ-

teousness of God in him. In assuming

the nature of man, he placed himself

where he was wounded for our trans-

gressions, bruised for our iniquities,

that by his stripes we might be healed.

In his humanity Christ was tried with

as much greater temptation, with as

much more persevering energy than

man is tried by the evil one, as his na-

ture was greater than man's. This is a

deep mysterious truth, that Christ is

bound to humanity by the most sensitive

sympathies. The evil works, the evil

thoughts, the evil words of every son

and daughter of Adam press upon his

divine soul. The sins of men called for

retribution upon himself; for he had be-

come man's substitute, and took upon

him the sins of the world. He bore the

sins of every sinner; for all transgres-

sions were imputed unto him, though

"he did no sin, neither was guile found

in his mouth." Though the guilt of sin

was not his, his spirit was torn and

bruised by the transgressions of men.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect

so great salvation?" It is at the peril of

our souls that we neglect the prescribed

conditions under which we are called

to work our own salvation. It is only

through Christ, who was made sin for

us, that we can work out our own sal-

vation; for it is God that worketh in us

both to will and to do of his own good

pleasure. We are to co-operate heartily

with God, by faith laying hold of the

righteousness of Christ, which alone

can save. The only way by which we

may be saved is by becoming workers

together with God. It is through the co-

operation of man with God that the

believer may come off victorious. We

shall not be found guiltless if we are

content to float along in the current of

the world, submitting the question of

our soul's salvation to those who teach

the traditions of men and rely upon sup-

posed evidences. Every soul is to put

himself to the task of searching out the

truth as it is in Jesus, to know it for

himself by the study of the sure word of

God. We are not to ask, What is the pop-

ular opinion? What saith brother A. or

brother B. or any other man? What saith

the fathers? But what saith the Lord our

God in regard to the saving of the soul?

And when we have found what saith the

Scriptures, let us act upon the written

word; for it is perilous to sit in judg-

ment on the words of inspiration. That

which has been written is for our in-

struction, admonition, and comfort.

Christ is the originator of divine truth.

He knew the height and depth, length

and breadth and fullness of the com-

passion of divine love, as no mortal man

can know it. He knows the blessedness

that sinners are refusing when they re-

ject divine light, the horrors that will

come upon the soul that refuses the

truth of heaven. A heavenly feast has

been spread for the hungry, but they

refuse to eat. Christ alone knows what

means the exceeding weight of glory

which those who rebel against God, re-

fuse to receive. The work of Christ upon

earth was to seek and save that which

was lost. Ever before him, he saw the

result of his mission, although the bap-

tism of blood must first be received,

although the weight of sins of the world

was to gather upon his innocent soul,

although the shadow of an unspeakable

woe was ever over him; yet for the joy

that was set before him, he endured the

cross and despised the shame. He en-

dured all this that sinful man might be

saved, that he might be elevated and

ennobled, and have a place with him

upon his throne.

Men are contaminated with sin, and

they cannot have an adequate concep-

tion of the heinous character of the evil

which they cherish. Because of sin, the

Majesty of heaven was stricken, smit-

ten of God and afflicted. Voluntarily our

divine substitute bared his soul to the

sword of justice, that we might not per-

ish, but have everlasting life. Said

Christ: "I lay down my life that I might

take it again. No man taketh it from me,

but

lay it down of myself. I have power

to lay it down, and I have power to take

it again." No man of earth nor angel of

heaven could have paid the penalty of

sin. Jesus was the only one who could

save rebellious man. In him divinity and

humanity were combined, and this was

what gave efficiency to the sacrifice

made on Calvary's cross. Here it was

that mercy and truth met together, righ-

teousness and peace kissed each other.

Christ is called "the Lord our righ-

teousness," and through faith, each one

should be able to say, "The Lord my

righteousness." When faith lays hold

upon this gift of God, the praise of God

will be upon our lips, and we shall be

able to say, "Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world."

Then

we shall be able to tell the lost

concerning the plan of salvation, that

while the world was lying under the

curse of the law, meriting death, the

Lord presented terms of mercy to the

fallen and hopeless sinner, and brought

out the meaning and value of his grace.

Grace is unmerited favor. The angels,

who know nothing of sin, do not under-

stand what it is to have grace exercised

toward them; but our sinfulness calls

for the exercise of grace from a merciful

God. It was grace that sent us our Sav-

iour to seek us as wanderers and bring

us back to his fold.

No works that the sinner can do will

be efficacious in saving his soul. Obe-

dience was always due to the Creator;

for he endowed man with attributes for

his service. God requires good works

from man always; but good works can-

not avail to earn salvation. It is impos-

sible for man to save himself. He may

deceive himself in regard to this matter;

but he cannot save himself. Christ's

righteousness alone can avail for his

salvation, and this is the gift of God.

This is the wedding garment prepared

for you in which you may be a welcome

guest at the marriage supper of the

Lamb. Let faith take hold of Christ with-

out delay, and you will be a new crea-

ture in Jesus, a light to the world.—

Review and Herald,

December 20, 1892.

The

ighteous

Jesus

"For what the law

could not do, in that it

was weak through the

flesh, God sending his

own Son in the likeness

of sinful flesh, and for

sin, condemned sin in

the flesh." Rom. 8:3.

The second member of

the Godhead came into

our world to reveal the

righteous character of

God. For this revelation

to have meaning to hu-

man beings it had to be

done by a human being,

and so the Son of God

was born into our world as a member of the human

family, and He lived in this world as we live in it.

"Christ bore the sins and infirmities of the race

as they existed when he came to earth to help man.

In behalf of the race, with the weaknesses of fallen

man upon him, he was to stand the temptations of

Satan upon all points wherewith man would be as-

sailed."—Ellen G. White,

Signs of the Times,

June

11, 1874.

Jesus' revelation of what righteousness means in

human existence was not carried out in ideal condi-

tions or by a physically ideal being, but in man's

real circumstances.

In our lesson this week we will study about Jesus,

and what His life on earth means to us today.

LESSON 3

January 13-19

ANDERSON,ARTIST; © PPPA

LESSON OUTLINE

Jesus Was God

John 8:58

Results

Col. 2:9, 10

Jesus Was Man

Phil. 2:5-7

Mutual Understanding

Heb. 2:17

Jesus Was Tempted

Heb. 4:15

Man Need Not Sin

Rom. 8:3

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Sunday

January 13

Part 1

JESUS WAS GOD

John 8:58

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

What was Jesus' claim about His identity?

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Be-

fore Abraham was, I am."

Ellen G. White notes that these words were spoken by Jesus

"with solemn dignity," and she then comments:

"Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God,

given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence,

had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had

announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had

been promised to Israel, 'whose goings forth have been from

of old, from the days of eternity.' Micah 5:2, margin."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 469, 470.

Could men know by looking at Jesus that He was God?

Phil. 2:6, 7.

"The faith of men in Christ as the Messiah was not to rest

on the evidences of sight, and they believe on Him because of

His personal attractions, but because of the excellence of

character found in Him, which never had been found, neither

could be, in another."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 904.

What was Paul's claim about Jesus' identity? Col. 2:9.

"In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him

is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the brightness

of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person.

The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His char-

acter....

"We are not to praise the gospel, but praise Christ. We are

not to worship the gospel, but the Lord of gospel. Christ is a

perfect representation of God."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 907.

How could I recognize that Jesus was God if I were in His

earthly presence?

"Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man.

Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was

still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to hu-

manity, and this representation the disciples had been privi-

leged to behold for over three years."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 663, 664.

The Desire of Ages,

pages 207-210.

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Monday

January 14

Part 2

RESULTS

Col. 2:9, 10, RSV

According to Paul what benefit has come to the believer

from Christ's Godship?

"For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and

you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of

all rule and authority."

"What a thought is this! In Christ 'dwelleth all the fulness

of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him.' Never

will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to

be molded by the Spirit of God. The Spirit conforms the re-

newed soul to the model, Jesus Christ."—Messages

to Young

People,

pages 55, 56.

What was one result, which Jesus illustrated by a ladder,

of His coming into this world? John 1:51.

This illustration is based on the story of Jacob's dream

recorded in Genesis 28:10-17. Jesus identified Himself as the

ladder. He is the means by which man is brought into contact

with divinity. "The top of the ladder, reaching into heaven,

represents the divine power of Christ, who grasps the Infinite

and thus links earth to heaven and finite man to the infinite

God. Through Christ the communication is opened between

God and

man."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 280.

Because Jesus is God, He is able to bring to man divine

power to conquer sin. Without the divine Jesus there would

not have been any communication from God to man—no an-

gels, no Spirit, no Scriptures—and this world would have had

no knowledge of truth to combat Satan's lies about God, and

no power to resist his temptations. The information and power

that man needs is supplied by his divine Saviour, who is sym-

bolized as a ladder from earth to heaven.

What happens in the life of one who by faith is righteous?

2 Peter 1:1-4.

"There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan's sophis-

try. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He

yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity

was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the

indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partak-

ers of the divine nature."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 123.

How can I personally obtain the divine power that Jesus

came into this world to make available to men?

Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 183, 184.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Tuesday

January 15

Part 3

JESUS WAS MAN

Phil. 2:5-1, RSV

What word does Paul use to describe the completeness

with which Jesus gave up the form and position of God?

"Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in

Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not

count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied

himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the like-

ness of men."

"When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our

minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in

earth or heaven—the incarnation of the Son of God. . . .

"The whole world was His, but so completely did He empty

Himself that during His ministry He declared, "Foxes have

holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man

hath not where to lay his head.' [Heb. 2:14-18 quoted.]"—Ellen

G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 904.

What change did John say took place in the Word? John

1:14.

"Christ did not make-believe take human nature; He did

verily take it. He did in reality possess human nature. 'As the

children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself

likewise took part of the same.' He was the Son of Mary; He

was of the seed of David according to human descent. He is

declared to be a man, even the man Christ Jesus."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1130.

"It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the

Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in

his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the

race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like

every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working

of the great law of heredity....

"He [the Father] permitted Him to meet life's peril in com-

mon with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child

of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal

loss."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 49.



THINK IT THROUGH



Of what importance is it to me that Jesus was a man?

"For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in

physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth; and

Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity.

Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of his

degradation."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 117.



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 63-65, 69, 70.

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Wednesday

January 16

Part 4

MUTUAL

UNDERSTANDING

Heb. 2:17

THINK IT THROUGH

What reason is given in Hebrews 2:17 for Jesus becoming

human?

"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like

unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful

high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people."

"In Christ were united the divine and the human—the Crea-

tor and the creature. The nature of God, whose law had been

transgressed, and the nature of Adam, the transgressor, meet

in Jesus—the Son of God, and the Son of man. And having

with His own blood paid the price of redemption, having

passed through man's experience, having in man's behalf met

and conquered temptation, having, though Himself sinless

borne the shame and guilt and burden of sin, He becomes

man's Advocate and Intercessor. What an assurance here to

the tempted and struggling soul, what an assurance to the

witnessing universe, that Christ will be 'a merciful and faithful

high priest'!"—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Com-

mentary,

Vol. 7, p. 926.

"For our sake Jesus emptied Himself of His glory; He

clothed His divinity with humanity that he might touch human-

ity, that His personal presence might be among us, that we

might know that He was acquainted with all our trials, and

sympathized with our grief, that every son and daughter of

Adam might understand that Jesus is the friend of sinners."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7,

p. 927.

It is not that God could not understand man's situation, but

there needed to be a way by which man was assured that God

understood. Jesus by His human experience provides the

ground for man's faith in a God who understands man's needs.

What result of Jesus' humanity is inferred in John 14:9?

Was there anything about human life that Jesus did not

understand before He became a man? Why did He become

a man?

"He came in humility, in order that the humblest being

upon the face of the earth could have no excuse because of

his poverty, or ignorance, and say, Because of these things, I

cannot obey the law of Jehovah. Christ clothed His divinity

with humanity, that humanity might touch humanity. . . . In His

humanity He understood all the temptations that will come to

man."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 925.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 328-332.

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Thursday

January 17



Part 5



In what way was Jesus' experience with temptation the

JESUS WAS

same as ours? How was it different?



TEMPTED



"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched

Heb. 4:15

with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points

tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

"Christ bore the sins and infirmities of the race as they

existed when He came to the earth to help man. In behalf of

the race, with the weaknesses of fallen man upon Him, He was

to stand the temptations of Satan upon all points wherewith

man would be assailed."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1081.

"The temptations to which Christ was subjected were a ter-

rible reality. As a free agent, He was placed on probation, with

liberty to yield to Satan's temptations and work at cross-pur-

poses with God. If this were not so, if it had not been possible

for Him to fall, He could not have been tempted in all points

as the human family is tempted."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1082.

What encouragement can we gain from Christ's experience

of temptation? Heb. 12:3, 4.

"Satan made stronger attacks upon Christ than he will ever

make upon us. There was much at stake with him, whether

Christ or himself should be conqueror. . . . You can never be

tempted in so determined and cruel a manner as was our

Saviour. Satan was upon His path every moment."—Sons

and

Daughters of God,

page 156.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what way can it be said that Jesus was tempted in all

points as we are, when many attractions of the world did

not exist in His earthly lifetime?

"If He [Jesus] did not have man's nature, He could not be

our example. If He was not a partaker of our nature, He could

not have been tempted as man has been. If it were not possible

for Him to yield to temptation, He could not be our helper. It

was a solemn reality that Christ came to fight the battles as

man, in man's behalf."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1082.

"If we have in any sense a more trying conflict than had

Christ, then He would not be able to succor us.

But

our Saviour

took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of

man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have

nothing to bear which He has not endured."--The

Desire of

Ages,

page 117.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 114-119.

The Righteous Jesus

LESSON 3



❑

Friday

January 18

Part 6

MAN NEED NOT SIN

Rom. 8:3

THINK IT THROUGH

What was proved by Jesus' sinless life?

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak

through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness

of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

"Christ came to the earth, taking humanity and standing

as man's representative, to show in the controversy with Satan

that man, as God created him, connected with the Father and

the Son, could obey every divine requirement."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 926.

"The Saviour's life of obedience maintained the claims of

the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and

showed the excellence of character that obedience would de-

velop."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 309.

What outstanding feature of Christ's life is to be a source

of encouragement to man? John 16:33.

As Jesus has overcome the world, so we, in the power of

the Spirit made available by virtue of Christ's victory, can over-

come the world. Satan has at least one more accusation that

he can make against Jesus. It is that Christ's experience in

overcoming all temptation successfully was

a unique experi-

ence that cannot be duplicated by ordinary believers. But the

message of Jesus to us is that what He did, we also can do.

"To every one who surrenders fully to God is given the priv-

ilege of living without sin, in obedience to the law of heaven."

—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

Sept. 27, 1906.

"Exact obedience is required, and those who say that it is

not possible to live a perfect life throw upon God the imputa-

tion of injustice and untruth."—Ellen G. White,

Review and

Herald,

Feb. 7, 1957.

Through believers who trust fully in Jesus to give them vic-

tory over all sin Jesus will answer Satan's last lying charge.

Can hereditary weaknesses be overcome in this life?

"Those who put their trust in Christ are not to be enslaved

by any hereditary or cultivated habit or tendency. Instead of

being held in bondage to the lower nature, they are to rule

every appetite and passion. God has not left us to battle with

evil in our own finite strength. Whatever may be our inherited

or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through

the power that He is ready to impart."—The

Ministry of Heal-

ing,

pages 175, 176.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 3, pp. 371, 372;

The Desire of Ages,

page

309.

"Few give

thought to the

suffering that

sin has caused

our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's

agony; but that suffering did not begin or end

with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is

a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that,

from its very inception, sin has brought to the

heart of God.

Every depar-

ture from the

right, every

deed of cru-

e lty, every

failure of hu-

manity to

reach His

ideal, brings

grief to Him."

—"Education,"

page 263.

LESSON 4

January 20-26

The

Purpo

the

Crross

"In this was manifested the love of

God toward us, because that God sent

his only begotten Son into the world,

that we might live through him. Herein

is love, not that we loved God, but that

he loved us, and sent his Son to be

the propitiation for our sins." 1 John

4:9, 10.

A cross is a repulsive, frightening

thing. It has the same significance as

the gallows, the guillotine, the electric

chair, the firing squad, or the gas cham-

ber. Yet we today see it as a symbol of

the mercy and grace of God. What has

changed its meaning? The execution of

Jesus of Nazareth. He was innocent not

only before the laws of the nation, but

more importantly even before the law

of God. The Christian meaning of the

cross depends on a prior belief in who

Jesus was and what His death meant.

On the cross Christ suffered and died

a voluntary death. He gave all that He

had to reveal the true nature of God's

character. On the cross God went on

record for all time that He loves His

creatures.

Calvary was the price that Heaven

paid to win man back to allegiance to

his Maker. The infinite sacrifice of the

cross was God's means of reconciling

man with Himself.

The Father and the Son "had clasped

Their hands in a solemn pledge that

Christ should become the surety for the

human race."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 834.

From the cross emanates a myster-

ious power that draws men heavenward.

LESSON OUTLINE

Sin's Results

Rom. 8:7; James 4:4

Reconciliation

2 Cor. 5:19

Misrepresentation Corrected

John 3:16, 17

Attraction

Hosea 11:4; John 12:32, 33

Transforming Power

2 Cor. 3:18

The Invitation

Matt. 11:28; John 7:37; 6:37

The Purpose of the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Sunday

January 20

Part 1

SIN'S RESULTS

Rom. 8:1; lames 4:4

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it

is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity

with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God."

What is the meaning in James 4:4 of the expression "a

friend of the world"?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they turned their backs upon

God. They had been deceived into thinking that God did not

have their best interests at heart.

The basic question that Adam and Eve faced when tempted

was "Whom shall we believe?" God had given them evidence

in the provision for their life and happiness that He was con-

cerned for their welfare. Satan presented only words and the

spectacle of a talking serpent. But Satan's words aroused the

couple's interest in themselves, and it became pleasant to

believe the serpent and restrictive to believe God. When they

believed the serpent's words, they placed themselves in op-

position to God's words and became God's enemies.

"The earth was dark through misapprehension of God."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 22.

What are the results of sin in the relationship between

man and God? Isa. 59:2.

"Adam, in his innocence, had enjoyed open communion with

his Maker; but sin brought separation between God and man,

and the atonement of Christ alone could span the abyss and

make possible the communication of blessing or salvation from

heaven to

earth."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 67.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is the danger of regarding God's rules as only restric-

tions? How should I regard God's law?

"But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might

be redeemed. The broken law of God demanded the life of the

sinner. In all the universe there was but one who could, in

behalf of man, satisfy its claims. Since the divine law is as

sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make

atonement for its transgression. None but Christ could redeem

fallen man from the curse of the law and bring him again into

harmony with Heaven. Christ would take upon Himself the

guilt and shame of sin—sin so offensive to a holy God that it

must separate the Father and His Son. Christ would reach to

the depths of misery to rescue the ruined

race."—Pafriarchs

and Prophets,

page 63.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 498-501.

3—AQT 1-74

The Purpose of the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Monday

January 21

Part 2

RECONCILIATION

2 Cor. 5:19, RSV

In the doctrine of reconciliation who is reconciled to

whom?

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not

counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us

the message of reconciliation."

God has never been man's enemy. His opposition is against

sin, not people. Since the fall, man has consistently been at

enmity with God, and God's offer of reconciliation is really His

recognition that man can be separated from sin, and thus no

longer at enmity with God.

Man's sin, from which he can be separated, was the result

of believing a misrepresentation of God's attitude toward His

creatures. Could man be shown the correct view of God's char-

acter, and believe it, then a restoration of friendship between

man and God would be possible. Christ came to earth to reveal

to man God's love for him, and to provide evidence, by His

own self-sacrifice, on which man could base his belief in the

kind of God Jesus revealed.

"Reconciliation means that every barrier between the soul

and God is removed, and that the sinner realizes what the

pardoning love of God means. By reason of the sacrifice made

by Christ for fallen men, God can justly pardon the transgres-

sor who accepts the merits of Christ. Christ was the channel

through which the mercy, love, and righteousness might flow

from the heart of God to the heart of the

sinner."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 396.

By what event is man reconciled to God? Rom. 5:10;

1 Peter 3:18.



THINK IT THROUGH



If I believe that God is my friend what effect will this

belief have on my attitude toward God's rules for my life?

"Through Christ, restoration as well as reconciliation is pro-

vided for man. The gulf that was made by sin has been spanned

by the cross of Calvary. A full, complete ransom has been

paid by Jesus, by virtue of which the sinner is pardoned, and

the justice of the law is maintained. All who believe that Christ

is the atoning sacrifice may come and receive pardon for their

sins; for through the merit of Christ, communication has been

opened between God and

man."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1,

p. 363.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 501-504.



The Purpose of



the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Tuesday

January 22



Part 3



What two facets of God's character are implied in John

MISREPRESENTA-

3:17?



TION CORRECTED



"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot-

John 3:16,11

ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the

world to condemn the world; but that the world through him

might be saved."

The cross demonstrates that God is merciful to man, be-

cause a member of the Godhead became a man and willingly

died in the process of showing man what God is like. On the

other hand the cross demonstrates God's judgment on sin

because the Father separated Himself from Jesus, as though

Jesus were a sinner, refusing to change the law even to save

the Son.

"The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only

hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to

come. Oh, we do not comprehend the value of the atonement!

. . . The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of

an incomprehensible love. It was the utmost that God could

do to preserve the honor of His law, and still save the trans-

gressor. Why should man not study the theme of redemption?

It is the greatest subject that can engage the human mind."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 5,

p. 1132.



THINK IT THROUGH



How often do my thoughts turn to the great sacrifice that

has been made for my redemption? It is "the expression of

an incomprehensible love."

"By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more

than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan's

purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and

man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than

if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has

bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken.

Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. 'God so loved

the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.' John 3:16. He

gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice;

He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable

counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become

one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature.

This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. . . . In Christ

the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound to-

gether. Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in

humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite

Love."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 25, 26.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 651, 652.

3—AQT 1-74

The Purpose of the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Wednesday

January

Part 4

ATTRACTION

Hosea 11:4, RSV

John 12:32, 33

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

What thought do the following texts have in common?

"I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of

love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on

their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them."

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men

unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die."

These texts speak only of the divine action in drawing men

and not of men's response. Through the atonement there has

been provided in this world a universal attraction to Jesus. This

attraction is not necessarily to the Man Jesus of Nazareth (see

The Desire of Ages,

page 638) but always to the principles by

which He lived, and by the Spirit which He has sent in His

place.

While the attraction is universal, the response is only from

a "little flock."

"Christ came to manifest the love of God to the world, to

draw the hearts of all men to Himself. He said, 'And I, if I

be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me' (John

12:32). . . . By the manifestation of His love, by the entreating

of His Spirit, He woos men to repentance. . . . It is that men

may understand the joy of forgiveness, the peace of God, that

Christ draws them through the manifestation of His love. If

they respond to His drawing, yielding their hearts to His grace,

He will lead them on step by step, to a full knowledge of Him-

self, and this is life eternal."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, pp.

323, 324.

"In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence

goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ

gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered

for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection. Yea,

more, it was offered to give him an entire transformation of

character, making him more than a conqueror."Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1113.

When men look to the cross, what is it that draws them

away from a life of sin? Have I responded to that drawing

power?

"As the student of the Bible beholds the Redeemer, there

is awakened in the soul the mysterious power of faith, adora-

tion, and

love."—Education,

page 192.

Steps to Christ,

"God's Love for Man," pages 13-15, 27.

The Purpose of the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Thursday

January 24

Part 5

TRANSFORMING

POWER

2 Cor. 3:18

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

In the following verse, what two elements does Paul state

are the means of change in the human heart?

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the

glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from

glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

•

"By beholding we are to become changed; and as we medi-

tate upon the perfections of the divine Model, we shall desire

to become wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of

His purity. It is by faith in the Son of God that transformation

takes place in the character, and the child of wrath becomes

the child of God. He passes from death unto life, he becomes

spiritual and discerns spiritual things. The wisdom of God en-

lightens his mind, and he beholds wondrous things out of His

law. As a man is converted by the truth, the work of transfor-

mation of charatcer goes on. He has an increased measure of

understanding. In becoming a man of obedience to God, he

has the mind of Christ, and the will of God becomes His will."

—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 338.

What outstanding example is given us of the transforming

power of Christ? Acts 9:1-6.

"In that hour of heavenly illumination Saul's mind acted

with remarkable rapidity. The prophetic records of Holy Writ

were opened to his understanding. He saw that the rejection

of Jesus by the Jews, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascen-

sion, had been foretold by the prophets and proved Him to be

the promised Messiah. Stephen's sermon at the time of his

martyrdom was brought forcibly to Saul's mind, and he realized

that the martyr had indeed beheld 'the glory of God' when he

said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man

standing on the right hand of God.' Acts 7:55, 56. The priests

had pronounced these words blasphemy, but Saul now knew

them to be truth.

"What a revelation was all this to the persecutor! Now Saul

knew for a certainty that the promised Messiah had come to

this earth as Jesus of Nazareth and that He had been rejected

and crucified by those whom He came to save."—The

Acts of

the Apostles,

pages 115, 116.

How can I view the crucified One? Am I beholding Him

sufficiently to know what He is like and to grow more like

Him?

The Desire of Ages,

pages 759-761.

The Purpose of the Cross

LESSON 4



❑

Friday

January 25

Part 6

THE INVITATION

Matt. 11:28

John 7:37; 6:31

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

In each of the following texts, what is the action of the

person?

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest."

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood

and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me,

and drink."

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him

that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

"The first step toward salvation is to respond to the drawing

of the love of Christ. God sends message after message to men,

entreating them to repentance, that He may forgive, and write

pardon against their names."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p.

323.

What attitude of God expressed to Judah is always His

attitude toward the sinner? Ezek. 33:11.

"The very first step to Christ is taken through the drawing

of the Spirit of God; as man responds to this drawing, he ad-

vances toward Christ in order that he may repent. . . .

"The Lord Jesus is constantly seeking to impress the sin-

ner's mind and attract him to behold Himself, the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sins of the world. We cannot take a

step toward spiritual life save as Jesus draws and strengthens

the soul, and leads us to experience that repentance which

needeth not to be repented

of."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1,

pp. 390, 391.

How would I feel if Christ were to come to my home in

person?

"Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been

made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that

Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back

to the Father's house. Motives stronger, and agencies more

powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceed-

ing rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the so-

ciety of the angels, the communion and love of God and His

Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout

eternal ages—are these not mighty incentives and encourage-

ments to urge us to give the heart's loving service to our Crea-

tor and Redeemer?"—Steps

to Christ,

page 21.

The Desire of Ages,

pages 328-332.

LESSON 5

January

February 2

"If we say that we

have no sin, we deceive

ourselves, and the

truth is not in us. If we

confess our sins, he is

faithful and just to forgive

us our sins, and to cleanse

us from all

unrighteousness."

1 John 1:8, 9.

The Holy Spirit will work a complete

transformation, or conversion, in the life.

of the person who is attached to the

cross. This change will be seen by true

repentance for and a turning away from

sin. Where necessary, restitution will be

made.

By faith man will lay hold of God's

promises for forgiveness and for strength

to live the new life he has chosen. He

will desire also to give public testimony

of his new experience by seeking bap-

tism. Through baptism he will pledge,

by God's grace, to remain steadfast in

the new life that he has chosen.

LESSON OUTLINE

Source of Salvation

2 Tim. 3:15

Repentance and Conversion

Acts 3:19

Confession

1 John 1:8, 9

Faith

Mark 1:15

Restitution

Ezek. 33:15

Baptism

Acts 2:37, 38

It LARKIN

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Sunday

January

Part 1

SOURCE OF

SALVATION

2 Tim. 3:15

THINK IT THROUGH

In writing to Timothy, what place did Paul give to the

Scriptures in relation to salvation?

"And that from a child thou host known the holy scrip-

tures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

How vital is a knowledge of Christ? John 17:3.

"We should not take the testimony of any man as to what

the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for

ourselves. If we allow others to do our thinking, we shall have

crippled energies and contracted abilities. The noble powers

of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes

worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp

the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge

if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of

the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual

things with spiritual."—Steps

to Christ,

pages 89, 90.

"We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of

the Scriptures and should task the understanding to compre-

hend, as far as mortals can, the deep things of God; yet we

must not forget that the docility and submission of a child is

the true spirit of the learner."—The

Great Controversy,

page

599.

"Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures,—and how

much more is it true of the New,—'They are they which testify

of Me,' the Redeemer, Him in whom our hopes of eternal life

are centered. John 5:39. Yes, the whole Bible tells of Christ.

From the first record of creation—for 'without Him was not

anything made that was made'—to the closing promise, 'Be-

hold, I come quickly,' we are reading of His works and listen-

ing to His voice. John 1:3; Revelation 22:12. If you would

become acquainted with the Saviour, study the Holy Scrip-

tures."—Steps

to Christ,

page 88.

How important is the study of the Scriptures in the light

of this lesson?

"We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to

save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heav-

enly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our

prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because

they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They

will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant

confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in His power

to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him."—

Steps to Christ,

page 89.

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Hidden Treasure," pages 111-114.

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Monday

January 28

Part 2

REPENTANCE AND

CONVERSION

Acts 3:19

THINK IT THROUGH

What follows after repentance and conversion?

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins

may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come

from the presence of the Lord."

Why is repentance imperative? Acts 17:30, 31.

What two kinds of repentance does Paul write of to the

Corinthians and in what way do they differ? 2 Cor. 7:10.

Repentance is "the first step toward obedience"—Ellen G.

White,

Signs of the Times,

Aug. 13, 1894. The repentant person

has turned his back on his old disobedient way of life and

has committed himself to live a life of obedience to the Lord.

"Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away

from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness;

until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change

in the

life."—Steps to Christ,

page 23.

"The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent be-

fore he can heed the invitation of Christ, 'Come unto Me, all

ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.'

Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that

leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in

his statement to the Israelites when he said, 'Him hath God

exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for

to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Acts

5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to

awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without

Christ."—Steps

to Christ,

page 26.

What does the apostle Paul mean when he speaks of cruci-

fying the "old man"? (Gal. 2:20). What part does it have in

conversion?

"What you need to understand is the true force of the will.

This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of

decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action

of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is

theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot

of yourself give to God its affections; but you can

choose

serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in

you to will and to do according to His good pleasure."—Steps

to Christ,

page 47.

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Repentance," pages 31-36.

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Tuesday

January

Part 3

CONFESSION

1 John 1:8, 9

On what condition does God promise forgiveness to the

sinner?

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and

the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and

just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigh-

teousness."

Confession is not a virtuous act in itself, as one may confess

for the wrong reason. "Confession will not be acceptable to

God without sincere repentance and reformation."—Testimo-

nies, Vol. 5, p. 640. Confession is really a part of repentance.

It is the admission of guilt, and repentance is the rejection of

the act of which one is guilty.

What are the conditions for receiving God's mercy? Prov.

28:13.

What was God's response to David's confession? Ps. 32:5

(last part).

"True confession is always of a specific character, and ac-

knowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as

to be brought before God only; they may be wiongs that should

be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through

them; or they may be of a public character, and should then

be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite

and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you

are guilty."—Steps

to Christ,

page 38.



THINK IT THROUGH



It will help my brother to confess his faults if I can take

some of the blame to myself.

"How mistaken are those who imagine that confession of sin

will detract from their dignity, and lessen their influence among

their fellow men. Clinging to this erroneous idea, though seeing

their faults, many fail to confess them, but rather pass by the

wrongs they have done others, so embittering their own lives,

and shadowing the lives of others. It will not hurt your dignity

to confess your sins. Away with this false dignity. Fall on the

Rock and be broken, and Christ will give you the true and

heavenly dignity. Let not pride, self-esteem, or self-righteous-

ness keep anyone from confessing his

sin."—Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 1,

pp.

326, 327.



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ, "Confession,"

pages 37-41.

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Wednesday

January 30

Part 4

FAITH

Mark 1:15

THINK IT THROUGH

What two virtues did Jesus place side by side?

"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of

God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

Repentance alone cannot bring salvation, since repentance

is realigning one's life with the law, and the law cannot save.

Combined with repentance there must be belief—faith in the

Lord Jesus Christ. But faith in Jesus cannot take the place of

repentance. Salvation is granted to the sinner as he both re-

pents of breaking the law and exercises faith in Jesus. The

two must never be separated. They belong together.

One of the great promises of the Bible is found in 1 John

1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive

us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But

after having made sincere confession of our sins, how can

we be sure that God will keep His promise? We hear no proc-

lamation from heaven; we do not see the angels write for-

giveness on the heavenly records. It is faith that makes it sure.

God has promised, and when we meet the condition, God is

faithful. He can be trusted.

Satan "had tempted the woman [Eve] to distrust God's love,

to doubt His wisdom, and to transgress His

law."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 57. At the cross evidence was given to the

world sufficient to remove all doubt and distrust of God's love.

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for

us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Romans 8:32.

Do I trust the word of people who are interested in my

welfare and who have made sacrifices that I might get ahead?

What lesson can I learn from this that will strengthen my trust

in my heavenly Father and in His Word?

"You have confessed your sins, and in heart put them away.

You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and

ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart.

Then believe that He does this

because He has promised.

This

is the lesson which Jesus taught while He was on earth, that

the gift which God promises us, we must believe we do re-

ceive, and it is

ours."—Steps to Christ,

pages 49, 50.

"You cannot atone for your past sins; you cannot change

your heart and make yourself holy. But God promises to do all

this for you through Christ. You

believe

that promise. You

confess your sins and give yourself to God. You

will

to serve

Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His word

to you."—Steps

to Christ,

page 51.

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Faith and Acceptance," pages 49-55.

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Thursday

January 31

Part 5

RESTITUTION

Ezek. 33:15

What besides future obedience does God require of the

converted person?

"If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had

robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniq-

uity; he shall surely live, he shall not die."

"If we have injured others through any unjust business

transaction, if we have overreached in trade, or defrauded any

man, even though it be within the pale of the law, we should

confess our wrong, and make restitution as far as lies in our

power. It is right for us to restore not only that which we have

taken, but all that it would have accumulated if put to a right

and wise use during the time it has been in our possession."

—The Desire of Ages,

page 556.

What provision was made in ancient Israel for restitution

to a person one had wronged? Num. 5:6, 7.

If the offended party could not be located, what procedure

was to be followed? Num. 5:8.

After his conversion, what was the reaction of Zacchaeus

to his fraud? Luke 19:8, 9.

"You cannot make every case right, for some whom you

have injured have gone into their graves, and the account

stands registered against you. In these cases the best you can

do is to bring a trespass offering to the altar of the Lord, and

will accept and pardon you. But where you can, you should

make reparation to the wronged

ones."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5,

p. 339.

How have some robbed God? Mal. 3:8-10.

"There are many who will not be blessed till they make

restitution of the tithe which they have withheld. God is wait-

ing for you to redeem the past. The hand of the holy law is

laid upon every soul who enjoys God's benefits. Let those who

have kept back their tithe make an accurate reckoning, and

bring to the Lord that of which they have robbed His work."

—Counsels on Stewardship,

page 87.



THINK IT THROUGH



What restitution do I need to make? Read Psalm 139:23,

24.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 552, 556.

Accepting God's Provision

LESSON 5



❑

Friday

February I

Part 6

BAPTISM

Acts 2:31, 38

On the day of Pentecost what did Peter indicate was to

follow repentance?

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their

heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men

and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them,

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of

Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the

gift of the Holy Ghost."

"Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spir-

itual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with

which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under

the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before

man can find a home in the church, before passing the thresh-

hold of God's spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress

of the divine name,

'The Lord our Righteousness.'

Jer 23:6."—

Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 91.

Of what is baptism a symbol? Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.

"In baptism we are given to the Lord as a vessel to be used.

Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by

profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candi-

date, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the

mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with

Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new

life of loyalty to God. The three great powers in heaven are

witnesses; they are invisible but present."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1074.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is accomplished by baptism?

"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those

who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life

declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan

and have become members of the royal family, children of the

heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: 'Come out

from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the

unclean thing.' And to them is fulfilled the promise: 'I will re-

ceive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My

sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' 2 Corinthians

6:17,

18."—Testimonies,

Vol. 6, p. 91.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 107-111.

LESSON 6

February

3-9

ChMstt

!Imputed

Paghteousness

"Even as David also de-

scribeth the blessedness of the

man, unto whom God im-

puteth righteousness without

works, saying, Blessed are

they whose iniquities are for-

given, and whose sins are

covered. Blessed is the man

to whom the Lord will not im-

pute sin." Rom. 4:6-8.

In the plan of redemption it

was decided that Christ would

take upon Himself man's sin

and suffer the penalty that

would otherwise fall upon the

sinner. Thus God "might be

just, and the justifier of him

which believeth in Jesus."

When the Father accepts

Christ's righteous life in place

of man's life of sin, man stands

justified—his sins are forgiven;

he is counted as though he

had never sinned.

The same power that has

drawn the sinner to Christ in

repentance and faith trans-

forms his life and makes him

a loyal and obedient child of

God.

LESSON OUTLINE

Definition

Rom. 4:6-8

Source

Rom. 5:8, 9

Means

Gal. 2:16

Results I

Ps. 32:1, 2; Ps. 103:1-3

Results II

Rom. 5:1

Retaining Justification

1 Peter 2:24; Ps. 103:17, 18

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Sunday

February 3

Read Rom. 4:6-8.

In the above passage the apostle Paul wrote of those to

whom God "imputeth righteousness" and equated this with

the phrase "iniquities are forgiven." The Revised Standard

Version uses the expression "reckons righteousness" for

"imputeth righteousness."

Counted.

Gr.

logizomai.

The same word is translated 'reck-

oned' (v. 4) and 'imputeth' (v. 6). In classical Greek and in the

papyri the term was used in connection with the keeping of

accounts. Abraham's faith was set down on the credit side for

righteousness."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 512.

"Be justified.

Gr.

dikaioo,

'to set right,' to regard as righ-

teous,' to declare righteous,' to treat as being righteous,' to

present as righteous.' The word occurs 39 times in the NT, 27

of these being in the writings of Paul. The significance of

dikaioo

is somewhat obscured by the translation `to justify.'

In the Greek

dikaioo,

`to justify,'

dikaios,

'righteous,'

dikaio-

sune,

'righteousness,' are all built on the same root and the

relationship between the three is clearly seen."—SDA

Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 500.

"Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment

a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned.

The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no

more to doubt God's forgiving grace."—Ellen G. White Com-

ments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1071.

A little girl once came to Mrs. White speaking for a group

of children. She said, "Will you please ask the minister to

speak easy words that we can understand? . . . We do not

understand large words, like 'justification.' . . . We do not

know what these words mean."—"Counsels to Teachers," page

254. How would I explain "justification" to children?

"Pardon and justification are one and the same thing.

Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel,

a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of

Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but be-

cause Christ receives him as His child by adoption. The sinner

receives the forgiveness of his sins, because these sins are

borne by his Substitute and Surety. The Lord speaks to His

heavenly Father, saying: 'This is My child. I reprieve him from

the condemnation of death, giving him My life insurance policy

—eternal life—because I have taken his place and have suf-

fered for his sins. He is even My beloved son.' Thus man,

pardoned, and clothed with the beautiful garments of Christ's

righteousness, stands faultless before God."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1070.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 267-271.

Part 1

DEFINITION

Rom. 4:6-8

THINK IT THROUGH

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Monday

February 4

Part 2

SOURCE

Rom. 5:8, 9

What has made justification possible? Rom. 5:8, 9.

"I would call on all who would win heaven, to take warning.

Do not devote your precious probationary time to sewing to-

gether fig leaves to cover the nakedness which is the result

of sin. As you look into the Lord's great moral looking glass,

His holy law, His standard of character, do not for a moment

suppose that it can cleanse you. There are no saving proper-

ties in the law. It cannot pardon the transgressor. The penalty

must be exacted. The Lord does not save sinners by abolish-

ing His law, the foundation of His government in heaven and

in earth. The punishment has been endured by the sinner's

substitute. Not that God is cruel and merciless, and Christ so

merciful that He died on Calvary's cross to abolish a law so

arbitrary that it needed to be extinguished, crucified between

two thieves. The throne of God must not bear one stain of

crime, one taint of sin. In the councils of heaven, before the

world was created, the Father and the Son covenanted together

that if man proved disloyal to God, Christ, one with the Father,

would take the place of the transgressor, and suffer the penalty

of justice that must fall upon him."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1070.

What elements of vicarious sacrifice are taught in Isaiah

53? How does this relate to justification? Isa. 53:5, 6.

What does the Passover teach about justification? Ex. 12:7,

12, 13.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I apply the blood of Christ to the doorposts of

my heart?

"The Passover was to be both commemorative and typical,

not only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but

forward to the greater deliverance which Christ was to accom-

plish in freeing His people from the bondage of sin. The sacri-

ficial lamb represents 'the Lamb of God,' in whom is our only

hope of salvation. Says the apostle, 'Christ our Passover is

sacrificed for us.' 1 Corinthians 5:7. It was not enough that the

paschal lamb be slain; its blood must be sprinkled upon the

doorposts; so the merits of Christ's blood must be applied to

the soul. We must believe, not only that He died for the world,

but that He died for us individually. We must appropriate to

ourselves the virtue of the atoning

sacrifice."—Patriarchs

and

Prophets,

page 277.



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pages 278, 279.

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Tuesday

February 5

Part 3

MEANS

Gal. 2:16, RSV

THINK IT THROUGH

On what condition does God justify the sinner? By what

can one not be justified?

"Yet [we] who know that a man is not justified by works

of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have

believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in

Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the

law shall no one be justified."

When Paul places emphasis on God's part in making justi-

fication possible he uses such expressions as "being justified

freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ

Jesus" (Rom. 3:24), and "justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:9),

or "the gift of righteousness" (Rom. 5:17).

When Paul shows what man must do to appropriate the

provision that has been made for him through Christ's sacrifice,

he uses such expressions as "justified by faith" (Rom. 3:28;

Rom. 5:1), and "his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom.

4:5).

"The sinner must come in faith to Christ, take hold of His

merits, lay his sins upon the Sin Bearer, and receive His par-

don. It was for this cause that Christ came into the world. Thus

the ri.

Thteousness of Christ is imputed to the repenting, believ-

ing sinner. He becomes a member of the royal family, a child

of the heavenly King, an heir of God, and joint heir with Christ."

—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 215.

"Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the

works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate

the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you

would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet

ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement.

"This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands

upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of

the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works.

God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but

because man placed himself in sin where his good works were

valueless, Jesus' righteousness alone can avail. . . .

"All that man can possibly do toward his own salvation is

to accept the invitation, 'Whosoever will, let him take the water

of life freely.' No sin can be committed by man for which satis-

.:• tion has not been met on Calvary. Thus the cross, in earnest

appeals, continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expia-

tion."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1071.

What is faith? Distinguish between faith and intellectual

belief.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 347, 348.

4-AQT 1-74

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Wednesday

February 6

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin

is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth

not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."

"Bless the Lord, 0 my soul: and all that is within me, bless

his holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all

his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth

all thy diseases."

David had sinned, but God had forgiven him, and this

brought great joy to David. David closes Psalm 32, with a call

to rejoicing. "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous:

and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

How does the Bible illustrate the reality of the forgiveness

of sin? Ps. 103:12; Micah 7:19.

When an individual asks for forgiveness of sins, what

should be his attitude toward others? Matt. 6:12. See also

Eph. 4:32.

"God in Christ gave Himself for our sins. He suffered the

cruel death of the cross, bore for us the burden of guilt, 'the

just for the unjust,' that He might reveal to us His love and

draw us to Himself. And He says, 'Be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in

Christ forgave you.' Ephesians 4:32, RV. Let Christ, the divine

Life, dwell in you and through you reveal the heaven-born love

that will inspire hope in the hopeless and bring heaven's peace

to the sin-stricken heart. As we come to God, this is the con-

dition which meets us at the threshold, that, receiving mercy

from Him, we yield ourselves to reveal His grace to others."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

pages 114, 115.



THINK IT THROUGH



How is one assured that God has forgiven him?

"But forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose.

When God gives the promise that He 'will abundantly pardon,'

He adds, as if the meaning of that promise exceeded all that

we could comprehend: 'My thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the

heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than

your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.' Isaiah 55:7-9.

God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets

us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness

for

sin,

but reclaiming

from

sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that

transforms the heart."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing,

page 114.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Lost and Is Found," pages 203-

206.

Part 4

RESULTS I

Ps. 32:1, 2

Ps. 103:1.3

S'hrist's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Thursday

February 7

Part 5

RESULTS II

Rom. 5:1

THINK IT THROUGH

What does Paul state is the result of justification?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with

God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

In the paragraph of Rom. 5:1-5 the apostle Paul wrote of

several results of justification. (1) "We have peace with God,"

v. 1; (2) "we rejoice in hope of the glory of God," v. 2; and

(3) "we glory in tribulations," v. 3. In the

SDA Bible Commen-

tary

on these verses it is pointed out that the reading that best

reflects the thought of the Greek and the context in the first

two instances is "let us go on having peace," and "let us go

on rejoicing." This rejoicing is in both hope and trouble. Paul

closes by stating that the hope of the justified believer is a

real hope because the believer has received the Holy Spirit.

Peace, rejoicing in hope and tribulation, and receiving the

Spirit are results of justification.

"Paul's association of peace with justification by faith makes

it still clearer that justification is no mere adjustment of a

sinner's legal status with God. . . . Forgiveness alone does

not necessarily bring peace. The man who has been pardoned

for some crime may feel a sense of gratitude toward his bene-

factor, but at the same time he may also be filled with such

shame and embarrassment that he seeks to avoid the company

of even the one who pardoned him. Though pardoned, he may

feel hardly better than a released criminal. His self-respect is

gone, and there is little motivation for a life of righteousness.

"If justification meant no more than that, it would actually

work against God's plan for our restoration. The only way in

which the divine image can be restored in fallen man is by a

confident and loving fellowship with Christ by faith."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 523.

What are some implications of having peace with God?

FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

Bk. 1, pp. 394-398.

Christ's Imputed Righteousness

LESSON 6



❑

Friday

February .5

Part 6

RETAINING

JUSTIFICATION

1 Peter 2:24

Ps. 103:17,18

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the

tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteous•

ness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlast-

ing upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto chit.

dren's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those

that remember his commandments to do them."

What admonition did Christ give to the woman who was

taken in sin? John 8:11.

"Christ is our hope and our refuge. His righteousness is

imputed only to the obedient."—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1072.

"God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before jus-

tification can take place; and in order for man to retain justifi-

cation, there must be continual obedience, through active, liv-

ing faith that works by love and purifies the soul."—Selectea

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 366.

"As God works in the heart, and man surrenders his will to

God, and cooperates with God, he works out in the life what

God works in by the Holy Spirit. . . . It is by continual surren-

der of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of

justification is retained."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 397.

If man, while making his best efforts, falls short of God's

standard, what provision has been made for him? 1 John

2:1, 2.

"When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are pui

forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as

man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with

His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim

to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's corn-

mandment."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 382.



THINK IT THROUGH



What will be the result of excusing one's failures on the

basis of God's promises of forgiveness?

"Christ perfected a righteous character here upon the earth,

not on His own account, for His character was pure and spot-

less, but for fallen man. His character He offers to man if he

will accept it. The sinner, through repentance of his sins, faith

in Christ, and obedience to the perfect law of God, has the

righteousness of Christ imputed to him; it becomes his righ-

teousness, and his name is recorded in the Lamb's book of

life. He becomes a child of God, a member of the royal family."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 3, pp. 371, 372.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 460-462.

MOULIN

LESSON 7

February 10-16

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

"I am the vine, ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me, and I in him, the

same bringeth forth much fruit: for

without me ye can do nothing. John

15:5.

When Christ took humanity and lived

a life free from sin, He opened the way

for man to do the same. That which was

impossible because of man's sinful na-

ture, becomes possible through his

union with Christ. This great truth of

Christianity was expressed by the apos-

tle Paul when he said, "I can do all

things through Christ which strength-

eneth me." (Phil. 4:13).

For the Christian to live a life of obe-

dience to God, he must maintain a liv-

ing and abiding connection with Christ

at all times. Christ must dwell in heart

and mind.

The imparted righteousness of Christ

comes to the believer through the Holy

Spirit. The process of imparting Christ's

righteousness to the believer is often

called sanctification. The state of the

person who has received Christ's im-

parted righteousness is called holiness.

"In justification a man receives the

Lord Jesus Christ, and in sanctification

he learns to walk in harmony with His

will (see Col. 2:6, 7), justification taking

but a moment, and sanctification requir-

ing a whole lifetime."—SDA

Bible Dic-

tionary,

page 955.

LESSON OUTLINE

Doing the Impossible

Rom. 8:2-4

Power Through Christ

Rom. 1:16, 17

Christ Within

Rom. 8:9, 10

Christ Sanctifies

1 Cor. 1:30; Heb. 10:10

Results of Sanctification

John 17:17

Abiding in Christ

1 John 2:28, 29

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Sunday

February 10

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made

me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law

could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God

sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for

sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the

law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but

after the Spirit."

Paul presents two ways of looking at the law of God. When

the sinner looks at the law, it convicts him of sin and con-

demns him to death, and Paul calls it the "law of sin and

death." But when a person believes in Jesus Christ and re-

ceives His Spirit, he sees the law in a different light—it is the

"law of the Spirit of life." A saving relationship with Jesus

Christ changes man's relation to the law because he is no

longer condemned—Jesus, through the Spirit, is enabling him

to keep the law. Then that which was impossible will be made

possible: "The righteousness of the law" will be "fulfilled in

us." To show that it is possible for a human being to do this

by God's grace, Christ came to this earth as a human being

and lived a sinless life by combining divinity with humanity.

We may also combine divinity with our humanity through the

indwelling Christ; thus we too will be enabled to obey.

"As we discern the perfection of our Saviour's character

we shall desire to become wholly transformed and renewed in

the image of His purity. The more we know of God, the higher

will be our ideal of character and the more earnest our longing

to reflect His likeness. A divine element combines with the

human when the soul reaches out after God and the longing

heart can say, 'My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my ex-

pectation is from Him.' Ps.

62:5."—Thoughts From the Mount

of Blessing,

page 19.



THINK IT THROUGH



God needs my cooperation that the law of the Spirit of

life in Christ Jesus be able to operate in my life.

"Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, the base resting on

the earth, and the topmost round reaching to the gate of

heaven, to the very threshold of glory. If that ladder had failed

by a single step of reaching the earth, we should have been

lost. But Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature

and overcame, that we through taking His nature might over-

come. Made 'in the likeness of sinful flesh' (Rom. 8:3),

lived

a sinless life. Now by His divinity He lays hold upon the throne

of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us. He bids us

by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God."

—The Desire of Ages,

pages 311, 312.



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 760-762.

Part 1

DOING THE

IMPOSSIBLE

Rom. 8:2-4

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Monday

February 11

Part 2

POWER THROUGH

CHRIST

Rom. 1:16, 11

What two elements does Paul attribute to the gospel?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is

the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the

righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is

written, The just shall live by faith."

Salvation requires power. Man has no power in himself to

overcome sinfulness. The whole current of his motives is, apart

from divine help, self-centered. The good news is that Jesus

Christ has the power to change the motives to be God-centered.

One part of salvation is to restore man to loyalty to God. The

power that produces this change is the Holy Spirit, the repre-

sentative of Jesus. This power is provided to those who have

faith in Jesus.

What does Paul call Christ? 1 Cor. 1:24.

"All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense

rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own

righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message

that God commanded to be given to the

world."—Testimonies

to Ministers,

page 92.

"The Spirit of God impresses the truth on the heart. The

gospel is called the power of God unto salvation because God

alone can make the truth a power which sanctifies the soul.

He alone can render the cross of Christ triumphant."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 940.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why might some persons in Paul's day think that the gos-

pel was something of which to be ashamed?

"Divine power will unite with our efforts, and as we cling

to God with the hand of faith, Christ will impart to us His wis-

dom and His righteousness."—Evangelism, page 596.

"Through divine grace, supernatural power is imparted to

the man, and works in mind and heart and character. It is

through the impartation of the grace of Christ that sin is dis-

cerned in its hateful nature and finally driven from the soul

temple."—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

Nov. 4, 1890.



FURTHER STUDY



Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

on Matt. 5:48, pages

76-78.

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Tuesday

February 12

Part 3

CHRIST WITHIN

Rom. 8:9, 10

THINK IT THROUGH

How does Christ dwell in the believer's heart?

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that

the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the

Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the

body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of

righteousness."

"It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the

Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning

of the life eternal."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 388.

"The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and

without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no

avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries,

and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amaz-

ing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the

mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would

come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine

power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been

wrought out by the world's redeemer. It is by the Spirit that

the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes

a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as

a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated ten-

dencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His

church."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 671.

What is the purpose of Christ dwelling in the believer's

heart? Eph. 3:17-19.

"Everything good in men and women is the fruit of the work-

ing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us to reveal righteous-

ness in our lives. The greatest work that can be done in our

world is to glorify God by living the character of Christ. God

will make perfect only those who will die to self. Those who

are willing to do this can say, 'I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth

in me.' "—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1109.

What did Paul mean when he said: "I am crucified with

Christ"? How can I make this a reality in my life?

"The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have

our sins pardoned; it is a divine remedy for the cure of trans-

gression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the Heaven-

ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be

not only upon us but in our hearts and characters."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1074.

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Consecration," pages 45-48.

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Wednesday

February 13

Part 4

CHRIST SANCTIFIES

1 Cor. 1:30

Heb. 10:10

THINK IT THROUGH

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made

unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and

redemption."

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering

of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

In our text the apostle places the terms "righteousness"

and "sanctification" side by side. They are closely related.

"Righteousness" refers to the condition that the process of

"sanctification" seeks to bring about, although the word "sanc-

tification" can also be used to refer to this condition of righ-

teousness.

"By the word and the Spirit of God are opened to men the

great principles of righteousness embodied in His law. And

since the law of God is 'holy, and just, and good,' a transcript

of the divine perfection, it follows that a character formed by

obedience to that law will be holy. Christ is a perfect example

of such a character. He says: 'I have kept My Father's com-

mandments.' 1 do always those things that please Him.' John

15:10; 8:29. The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by

the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the prin-

ciples of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.

"This work can be accomplished only through faith in

Christ, by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God."—The

Great Controversy,

page 469.

According to the apostle Peter, what is the result of sanc-

tification? 1 Peter 1:2.

"Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a

day. It is a continual growth in grace. . . . As long as Satan

reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome,

and there is no stopping place, there is no point to which we

can come and say we have fully attained."—Testimonies, Vol.

1, p. 340.

What are the elements that contribute to sanctification?

"The Scriptures plainly show that the work of sanctification

is progressive. When in conversion the sinner finds peace with

God through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has

but just begun. Now he is to 'go on unto perfection;' to grow

up 'unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.'

Says the apostle Paul: 'this one thing I do, . . . I press toward

the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ

Jesus.' Phil. 3:13, 14."—The

Great Controversy,

page 470.

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pages 560-567.

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Thursday

February 14



Part 5



How are the results of sanctification achieved?

RESULTS OF



SANCTIFICATION



"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."



John 17:17



Belief of the truth that God has revealed to men results in

sanctification. The principles of God's character are the basic

truth revealed, and as people believe the truth and practice it

the principles of God's character are being fashioned into

human personality. God is love; and Jesus taught that love to

God and man sums up the whole law. As the believer is sanc-

tified he is being made into a loving person patterned after the

loving heavenly Father. This love in the Christian person is the

same love as is in the character of God, revealed in Jesus

Christ, and defined in the law. So the basic result of sanctifica-

tion is love to God and man.

"Those who receive the Saviour become sons of God. . . .

They are adopted into God's family, and they become con-

formed to His likeness, changed by His Spirit from glory to

glory. From cherishing supreme love for self, they come to

cherish supreme love for God and for Christ. . . . Accepting

Christ as a personal Saviour, and following His example of

self-denial—this is the secret of holiness."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 6, p. 1117.

How is the truth understood? John 16:13.

"Let a living faith run like threads of gold through the per-

formance of even the smallest duties. Then all the daily work

will promote Christian growth. There will be a continual look-

ing unto Jesus. Love for Him will give vital force to everything

that is undertaken. Thus through the right use of our talents,

we may link ourselves by a golden chain to the higher world.

This is true sanctification; for sanctification consists in the

cheerful performance of daily duties in perfect obedience to

the will of

God."—Christ's Object Lessons, "Talents,"

page

360.



THINK IT THROUGH



As I compare my life with the life of Jesus, what deficien-

cies do I find in myself? What virtues do I find in Him that

I desire to acquire?

"The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of

meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposi-

tion is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting

upon God and a submission of the will to His. . . . True meek-

ness softens and subdues the heart, and gives the mind a

fitness for the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obe-

dience to Jesus Christ."—The

Sanctified Life,

pages 14, 15.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pages 469-474.

Christ's Imparted Righteousness

LESSON 7



❑

Friday

February 15

Part 6



"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he

ABIDING IN CHRIST

shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed

before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye

1 John 2:28

know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."

To abide in Jesus means to remain or stay in relationship

with Him, just as a live branch has a close connection with the

parent stalk. This connection must be maintained if the branch

is to live. By maintaining a close relationship with Christ we

can do righteousness, thus living the kind of life Jesus lived

in this world. The parable of the vine, where the word "abide"

is also used, is an illustration of sanctification.

How essential is it that the believer abide in Christ? John

15:5.

THINK IT THROUGH

" 'Abide in Me, and I in you.' Abiding in Christ means a

constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender

to His service. The channel of communication must be open

continually between man and his God. As the vine branch con-

stantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling

to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and per-

fection of His own character....

"The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the

branches. 'He that abideth in Me,' said Jesus, 'and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do

nothing.' When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits

of the Spirit will be seen in our life; not one will be missing."

—The Desire of Ages,

page 676.

How does the mutual abiding of the believer and Christ

take place?

"This union with Christ, once formed, must be maintained.

Christ said, 'Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot

bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye,

except ye abide in Me.' This is no casual touch, no off-and-on

connection. The branch becomes a part of the living vine. The

communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the root

to the branches is unobstructed and constant. Separated from

the vine, the branch cannot live. No more, said Jesus, can you

live apart from Me. The life you have received from Me can

be preserved only by continual communion. Without Me you

cannot overcome one sin, or resist one temptation."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 676.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pages 674-677.

LESSON 8

February 17-23

Cooperation

With God

"The heavenly intelligences will work with the human

agent who seeks with determined faith that

perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in

action. To everyone engaged in this work Christ

says, I am at your right hand to help you.

"As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it

becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to

be done at His command may be accomplished in

His strength. All His biddings are enablings."

—"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 332, 333.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the

branch cannot bear fruit of itself, ex-

cept it abide in the vine; no more can

ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4.

This key text points to a mutual abid-

ing, the believer in Jesus, and Jesus in

the believer. Either side of this relation-

ship cannot exist alone. The believer

can do nothing in spiritual life without

Jesus, and Jesus can accomplish noth-

ing for man without his consent and co-

operation.

If this mutuality does not exist salva-

tion cannot be accomplished. The pur-

pose of this lesson is to study how the

believer abides in Christ. This is not to

indicate that. the believer's works have

"Co-operation," an article writ-

ten by Ellen G. White, is printed

at the end of this lesson for sup-

plementary reading. It was origi-

nally printed in the

Review and

Herald.

the least merit toward salvation, but only

that he must cooperate with God and

not be working against Him.

"While good works will not save even

one soul, yet it is impossible for even

one soul to be saved without good

works. God saves us under a law, that

we must ask if we would receive, seek

if we would find, and knock if we would

have the door opened unto us."—Se-

lected Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 377.

LESSON OUTLINE

Cooperation

John 15:4

Press Toward the Mark

Phil. 3:12-14

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

1 Tim. 6:12; Eph. 6:11-13

Feed on the Word

Ps. 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

Diligence in Prayer

Ps. 37:5; Ps. 32:6; James 5:16

Endure Unto the End

Matt. 24:13; James 1:12

Cooperation With God

LESSON 8



❑

Sunday

February 17

What is essential to fruit-bearing?

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear

fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye,

except ye abide in me."

What does it mean to "abide in" Christ? On this subject

Ellen G. White has written:

"The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from

the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The

root sends its nourishment through the branch. Such is the

true believer's relation to Christ. He abides in Christ and draws

his nourishment from Him.

"This spiritual relation can be established only by the ex-

ercise of personal

faith."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 229.

"A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other

union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price

for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as

first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us

something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into

by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need

of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of

heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There

will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There

must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of

attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness—sin in all

its forms—must be overcome if we would enter into a union

with

Christ."—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 231.

In what way is the believer to relate to God? I John 1:7.

In what areas of life is my cooperation with God delin-

quent?

"But though Christ is everything, we are to inspire every

man to unwearied diligence. We are to strive, wrestle, agonize,

watch, pray, lest we shall be overcome by the wily foe. For the

power and grace with which we can do this comes from God,

and all the while we are to trust in Him, who is able to save

to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. Never leave

the impression on the mind that there is little or nothing to do

on the part of man; but rather teach man to cooperate with

God, that he may be successful in overcoming."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1, p. 381.

"He [God] holds up before us the highest ideal, even per-

fe,ption. He asks us to be absolutely and completely for Him in

this world as He is for us in the presence of God."—The

Acts

of the Apostles,

page 566.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

Vol. 5, pp. 229-231.

Part 1

COOPERATION

John 15:4

THINK IT THROUGH

Cooperation With God

LESSON 8



❑

Monday

February 18



Part 2



What was the "one thing" that Paul states he did in his

PRESS TOWARD

life?



THE MARK



"Not as though I had already attained, either were al-

Phil. 3:12-14

ready

perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend

that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this

one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and

reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press

toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in

Christ Jesus."

THINK IT THROUGH